A decade is a period of 10 years. The term is derived from the Ancient Greek word ‘dekas,’ which means a group of ten. Decades are commonly used to measure time in various contexts, such as historical events, personal milestones, and cultural trends. For example, the 1980s refers to the decade from 1980 to 1989. Understanding the length of a decade helps in organizing and referencing time in a clear and structured manner.