Did you know that many people search for the answer to “how many years is a decade” on Google every minute? If you’re one of those people still searching for an answer, look no further.
In this blog post, we will explore the concept of a decade in detail. So, let’s dive into our first topic without any delay.
How Long is a Decade?
There are 10 years in a decade.
The use of the term ‘decade’ has been beneficial for mankind to distinguish significant historical events that occurred in a period of ten years.
Decades have enabled humans to quickly identify past events, such as the 50s or 60s, which signify the 1950s and 1960s, respectively.
Each decade has a nickname derived from consequential events that occurred during that period. For instance, the 1920s in the history of the US is known as ‘the roaring twenties.’
This period saw economic growth and cultural changes. Most historical events are divided into decades, making it convenient to differentiate events that happened within a particular time in the past.
Apart from historical events, ages can also be categorized into decades. The term ‘decade’ is also used to recall the 1990s, which was marked by the economic collapse of Japan.
This period is referred to as ‘the lost decade,’ which happened after World War II.
Origin of the Word ‘Decade’
The word ‘decade’ originates from the Greek word “dekás,” which means “a group of ten.” It is a combination of two Greek words, “deka” meaning “ten” and “hodos” meaning “way” or “path.”
The word ‘decade’ was first used in the English language in the early 15th century, primarily to describe a period of ten years. The use of ‘decade’ to refer to a period of ten years became more common in the 20th century.
Significance of a Decade
As you may already know, the term ‘decades’ is not only used to categorize historical events but also age groups. Below is a detailed breakdown of how age groups are classified into decades.
FAQs
What’s the easiest way to calculate century into years?
To convert a century into years, you can multiply the number of centuries by 100. For example, to convert 3 centuries into years:
3 centuries * 100 years per century = 300 years
Which one is bigger, a decade or century?
A century is bigger than a decade. A decade refers to a period of ten years, while a century refers to a period of one hundred years.
How long does it take to form a decade?
A decade is a period of ten years. Therefore, it takes exactly ten years to form a decade.
Where’s the origin of the word decade?
The word “decade” comes from the Greek word “dekas,” which means “a group of ten.” It was originally used to refer to a group of ten soldiers in a unit in ancient Greece. The term was later adopted to refer to a period of ten years.
If the term for 10 years is a decade, what’s the word for 20, 30, and 40?
The term for 20 years is “score,” as in “four score” meaning 80 years. The terms for 30 and 40 years do not have specific words in common usage, but they can be described as “three decades” and “four decades” respectively.
Just like there’s a term for 10 and 100 years, is there any word that means 1000 years?
Yes, there is a word that means 1000 years, and it is “millennium.” The term “millennium” comes from the Latin words “mille” meaning “thousand” and “annum” meaning “year.” So a millennium is a period of one thousand years.
Final Words
Now that we’ve provided you with a clear understanding of how long a decade is, we hope you found our FAQs helpful in addressing any additional questions you may have had about this period.
If you still have any lingering questions, feel free to share them with us in the comments below, and we’ll be more than happy to help you find the answers you need.
In the meantime, stay healthy and stay safe!