decade

American  

[dek-eyd, duh-keyd] / ˈdɛk eɪd, dəˈkeɪd /

noun

1. a period of ten years.

   the three decades from 1776 to 1806.

2. a period of ten years beginning with a year whose last digit is zero.

   the decade of the 1980s.

3. a group, set, or series of ten.

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decade British  

/ dɪˈkeɪd, ˈdɛkeɪd /

noun

1. a period of ten consecutive years

2. a group or series of ten

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Other Word Forms

• decadal adjective
• half-decade noun

Etymology

Origin of decade

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Middle French, from Late Latin decad-, stem of decas, from Greek dekás “group of ten”; equivalent to deca- + -ade ²

Example Sentences

For decades, memory chips have been considered a commodity product, cheaper and easier to make than the advanced AI chips designed by other chip firms.

From The Wall Street Journal

He previously served for more than a decade as CEO, then as chairman since 2017.

From The Wall Street Journal

Starboard about a decade ago led a successful shareholder coup at Olive Garden owner Darden Restaurants and kicked off a turnaround.

From The Wall Street Journal

Bill Clinton - who is featured several times in the Epstein files - was acquainted with Epstein, who died in prison in 2019, but says he cut off contact two decades ago.

From BBC

That opportunity would arrive at the end of the decade, however.

From The Wall Street Journal