English Reference

Word

longstanding

Phoneticslong·stand·ing

US/ˈɫɔŋˌstændɪŋ/

UK/lˈɒŋstændɪŋ/

Definition

adj. existing or continuing for a long time. You use this to describe relationships, problems, or traditions that have been around for many years.

adj. having existed or persisted over a significant duration. Often used to describe established relationships, disputes, or institutional practices.

Examples

“The two countries have a longstanding agreement.”

“The company finally resolved a longstanding dispute with its former employees regarding pension contributions.”

“Despite recent changes in leadership, the university maintains its longstanding commitment to providing scholarships for students from underprivileged backgrounds.”

Examples

simple

“The two countries have a longstanding agreement.”

contextual

“The company finally resolved a longstanding dispute with its former employees regarding pension contributions.”

complex

“Despite recent changes in leadership, the university maintains its longstanding commitment to providing scholarships for students from underprivileged backgrounds.”

Usage

Typically used attributively before the noun it modifies.

Pitfall

a long standing tradition

a longstanding tradition

While 'long-standing' with a hyphen is also correct, writing it as two separate words without a hyphen is generally considered a spelling error when used as an adjective.

Real-World Examples

“His departure is all the more eye-catching for his longstanding working relationship with Infantino, with whom he also worked at Uefa.”
The Guardian · 17 Aug 2026
“Environmental groups said the fires in recent weeks were part of a longstanding Israeli practice of targeting Lebanon’s natural environment.”
The Guardian · 12 Aug 2026

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/longstanding

English Reference