DECADE meaning and definition

Reading time: 2-3 minutes

What Does "Decade" Mean?

In everyday language, the term "decade" is often used to describe a period of 10 years. For instance, we might say that the last decade was marked by significant technological advancements or that a particular industry has undergone a transformation over the past decade. But what does the word "decade" really mean?

To understand the meaning of "decade," let's break it down. The word comes from the Latin phrase "deka," which means 10. In English, the term "decade" refers to a period of 10 years, or 10 units of time.

In the context of history, a decade is often used to describe a specific era or period within a larger timeline. For example, we might refer to the Roaring Twenties as a decade in the early 20th century when jazz music and flapper culture were all the rage. Similarly, the 1980s might be referred to as a decade marked by big hair, neon-colored clothing, and the rise of pop culture icons like Michael Jackson.

The term "decade" is also used in a more abstract sense to describe a distinct era or generation. For instance, we might say that Generation X was shaped by the events of the 1990s, while Millennials were influenced by the technology and cultural shifts of the 2000s. In this context, a decade represents a specific set of experiences, values, and cultural norms that define a particular group of people.

In addition to its use in historical or generational contexts, "decade" is also used in other fields like mathematics and science. For example, a decade might refer to a unit of time measurement in astronomy or geology, where it represents a specific period within a larger timeline of cosmic events or geological processes.

So there you have it – the term "decade" simply means 10 years, but its use can be much more nuanced and context-dependent. Whether we're talking about a specific era in history, a generation of people, or a unit of time measurement, the concept of a decade is an important tool for understanding and categorizing our world.

References:

Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Cambridge Dictionary
Oxford English Dictionary

Next words:

decade decadent decades decathlete decay decayed decaying deceased deceit deceitful deceive deceived deceives deceiving decelerate decelerating deceleration decelerations december decennial

DECADE meaning and definition

What Does "Decade" Mean?

References:

Read more:

Next words: