1
: occurring over or involving a relatively long period of time
seeking long-term solutions
2
a
: of, relating to, or constituting a financial operation or obligation based on a considerable term and especially one of more than 10 years
long-term bonds
b
: generated by assets held for longer than six months
a long-term capital gain

Examples of long-term in a Sentence

before approving a new drug, the government insists on some long-term research to determine any possible side effects
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.
Staffing cuts at the FAA, while not directly impacting air traffic controllers, raise concerns about potential long-term effects on aviation safety due to the loss of support staff. Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025 Prioritizing progress over perfection helps founders sustain motivation, embrace learning and maintain focus on their long-term vision, even during setbacks. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025 But Trump has already started erasing web tools that scientists and policymakers use to study climate change and its impact on vulnerable people, hinting at a further-reaching purge that could have long-term impacts on the health of millions of Americans. Mark Gongloff, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2025 Two people were arrested after a long-term narcotics investigation led to the discovery of about $600,000 worth of cocaine which was shipped from Puerto Rico to Hartford and replaced with phony drugs before being delivered during a sting operation last week. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for long-term

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of long-term was in 1867

Browse Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

“Long-term.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/long-term. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

long-term

adjective
-ˈtərm
: extending over or involving a long period of time
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!