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
di-ˈse-nē-ə-lē How to pronounce decennial (audio)
adverb

Examples of decennial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Constitution allocates political power — specifically representation in the House of Representatives — and draws political districts in relation to decennial census counts of population size. — Nancy Krieger, STAT, 9 Oct. 2026 From 2015 to 2023, LaHood represented the 18th congressional district, but following the decennial redistricting process, he was drawn into the 16th District before the 2022 election. — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 5 Oct. 2026 The city requested the special census after officials felt that Aurora was undercounted in the 2020 decennial census and that new construction and development in the city was left out. — Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026 Amy Smith-Stewart, chief curator at the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield, noticed that shift while organizing the museum’s inaugural decennial survey of artists living and working in Connecticut. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for decennial

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

Rhymes for decennial

See All Rhymes for decennial

Browse Nearby Words

decenniad
decennial
decennially
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Decennial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decennial. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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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
-ē-ə-lē How to pronounce decennial (audio)
adverb
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