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
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
Celebrities like Dua Lipa and Lena Dunham have posted wistful, washed-out pictures celebrating the decennial.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 29, 2026
When will it issue its maps after the decennial census?
From Slate ● Aug. 19, 2025
After the decennial census, states redraw district lines for congressional and legislative districts based on population shifts, protections for minority voters required by the federal Voting Rights Act and other factors.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2025
For decades the decennial census dismally tolled the same knell of fifteen thousand in round numbers.
From In a Little Town by Rupert Hughes
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
