Four decades had elapsed since the death of Hiram Patterson.

More than a decade has elapsed since this project began.

Several decades have elapsed since humans made any radical changes.

More than seven decades elapsed between the adoption of the Constitution and the abolition of slavery.

But four decades have elapsed since then, a long stretch in the cultural life of a still-young nation.

More than eight decades had elapsed since the last Series victory by Boston, in 1918.

Almost a decade and a half had elapsed before it happened with Graham.

More than six decades have elapsed since then.

Despite the perceived necessity for the bridge, decades elapsed with no formal plan.

Lawsuits on appeal may take several years to resolve, and in some cases more than a decade elapses before definitive rulings.