long-lived
adjective
ˈlȯŋ-ˈlivd 
also
-ˈlīvd
1
: having a long life : living a long time
long-lived siblings
a long-lived perennial
also
: characterized by long life
a long-lived family
2
: lasting a long time : enduring
a long-lived fad
also
: existing, functioning, or active for a period of time that is longer than usual or expected
a long-lived car
long-lived nuclear waste
Synonyms of long-lived
Examples of long-lived in a Sentence
that sequoia tree is especially long-lived, having reached an age generally estimated to be at least 3,000 years
much to the relief of his parents, the youth's interest in the piano proved to be long-lived
Recent Examples on the Web
Peonies are easy to grow and long-lived once established.
—
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2026
This design has the potential to reduce the total volume of long-lived spent fuel produced per unit of energy generated and to increase resistance to nuclear proliferation.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 19 Apr. 2026
Credentials become long-lived because rotating them requires effort nobody budgets for.
—Huzefa Olia, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2026
Boxwoods are easy to grow, green year-round, and long-lived.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2026
One supercell thunderstorm was particularly strong and long-lived, starting near Del Rio before tracking east-northeast through the Texas Hill Country.
—Anthony Franze, San Antonio Express-News, 11 Mar. 2026
And while film festivals that are long-lived, and well-attended, may appear to be indestructible meeting places, these spaces are often fragile, hard-won and complex to preserve.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 3 Mar. 2026
Some perennials are very long-lived, such as the peony, daylily, and false indigo, while others are relatively short-lived, such as the lupine, columbine, and delphinium.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 15 Feb. 2026
Several of my favorite festivals happen simultaneously, including the much-loved and long-lived Under the Radar, which this year spreads its umbrella over thirty-two productions.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2026
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.
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2026
This design has the potential to reduce the total volume of long-lived spent fuel produced per unit of energy generated and to increase resistance to nuclear proliferation.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 19 Apr. 2026
Credentials become long-lived because rotating them requires effort nobody budgets for.
—Huzefa Olia, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2026
Boxwoods are easy to grow, green year-round, and long-lived.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2026
One supercell thunderstorm was particularly strong and long-lived, starting near Del Rio before tracking east-northeast through the Texas Hill Country.
—Anthony Franze, San Antonio Express-News, 11 Mar. 2026
And while film festivals that are long-lived, and well-attended, may appear to be indestructible meeting places, these spaces are often fragile, hard-won and complex to preserve.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 3 Mar. 2026
Some perennials are very long-lived, such as the peony, daylily, and false indigo, while others are relatively short-lived, such as the lupine, columbine, and delphinium.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 15 Feb. 2026
Several of my favorite festivals happen simultaneously, including the much-loved and long-lived Under the Radar, which this year spreads its umbrella over thirty-two productions.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Long-lived.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/long-lived. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
