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Synonyms

decennial

American  
[dih-sen-ee-uhl] / dɪˈsɛn i əl /

adjective

  1. of or for ten years.

  2. occurring every ten years.


noun

  1. a decennial anniversary.

  2. its celebration.

decennial British  
/ dɪˈsɛnɪəl /

adjective

  1. lasting for ten years

  2. occurring every ten years

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a tenth anniversary or its celebration

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of decennial

1650–60; < Latin decenni ( um ) a period of ten years ( decenn ( is ) decennary + -ium -ium ) + -al 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

So far, India has redrawn parliamentary seats three times based on the decennial census in 1951, 1961 and 1971.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

To revise the directive in time for the 2030 decennial census, the Census Bureau by statute has until April 1, 2027, to advise Congress of the changes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 23, 2025

When will it issue its maps after the decennial census?

From Slate • Aug. 19, 2025

Some states have taken serious steps to do that by enacting laws that require commissions to redraw the lines after the decennial census, or by using computer models.

From Salon • Aug. 3, 2025

But be that as it may, the war broke out in the reign of Polydorus and Theopompus, kings of Sparta, at the time when the office of archon at Athens was still decennial.

From The Ancient History of the Egyptians, Carthaginians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Medes and Persians, Macedonians and Grecians (Vol. 1 of 6) by Rollin, Charles

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