Decade: meaning, definitions and examples

Refers to a period of ten years and is often used in everyday language and historical or social contexts.

• The 1990s were a transformative decade in technology.
• She has been working here for over a decade.

A synonym for 'decade' but used more in formal writing or contexts emphasizing the passage of time.

• The first decennium of the 21st century saw rapid advancements in digital technology.
• Throughout the last decennium, significant changes have occurred in environmental policy.

Refers specifically to a group of ten people, usually in an administrative or governing capacity, and is often used in historical or formal contexts.

• The ancient Roman decemvirate was tasked with drafting a new code of laws.
• The board formed a decemvirate to oversee the project.

Describes something that is ten times as much or methods involving multiplication by ten, primarily used in mathematical or specific scientific contexts.

• The population of the town has decupled over the past century.
• His income saw a decuple increase after he launched his business.