decennial
Americanadjective
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of or for ten years.
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occurring every ten years.
noun
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a decennial anniversary.
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its celebration.
adjective
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lasting for ten years
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occurring every ten years
noun
Other Word Forms
- decennially adverb
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
Redrawing of congressional districts typically occurs after the decennial census to reflect population shifts across the nation.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 25, 2025
For the next two decennial censuses he acted as assistant-commissioner; for that of 1871 he was a commissioner, and he wrote the greater part of the reports of all.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 2 "Fairbanks, Erastus" to "Fens" by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
