decennial

adjective

de·​cen·​ni·​al di-ˈse-nē-əl How to pronounce decennial (audio)
1
: consisting of or lasting for 10 years
2
: occurring or being done every 10 years
the decennial census
decennial noun
decennially adverb

Examples of decennial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The sprawling district, its shape marked by four arms jutting out to pick up more territory, was changed during the decennial redistricting process in 2021. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Orange County Register, 22 Oct. 2024 The population has fallen in every decennial census since 1960, and the council size has shrunk correspondingly. Sam Allard, Axios, 17 Oct. 2024 Although Puerto Rico is covered by the decennial census and a version of the bureau’s American Community Survey that is customized for the island, it and other territories are excluded from other housing, business, and health surveys regularly used by researchers and decision-makers. Bymyriam Vidal Valero, science.org, 13 Sep. 2024 One surefire way to improve accuracy is for the Census Bureau to release less data from the decennial census. Byjeffrey Mervis, science.org, 3 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for decennial 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'decennial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of decennial was circa 1656

Dictionary Entries Near decennial

Cite this Entry

“Decennial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decennial. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

decennial

adjective
de·​cen·​ni·​al di-ˈsen-ē-əl How to pronounce decennial (audio)
1
: consisting of 10 years
2
: happening every 10 years
decennial census
decennially adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on decennial

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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