dependence
or de·pend·ance
[dih-pen-duh ns]
- the state of relying on or needing someone or something for aid, support, or the like.
- reliance; confidence; trust: Her complete reliability earned her our dependence.
- an object of reliance or trust.
- the state of being conditional or contingent on something, as through a natural or logical sequence: the dependence of an effect upon a cause.
- the state of being psychologically or physiologically dependent on a drug after a prolonged period of use.
- subordination or subjection: the dependence of Martinique upon France.
Origin of dependence
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for dependence
Contemporary Examples
This kind of dependence on donors is a broader, older idea of “corruption” than bribery.
In her talk on Wednesday, Clinton also took credit for weaning several other countries off of their dependence on Iranian oil.
Hillary Clinton Celebrates the Iran Sanctions That Her State Department Tried to StopJosh Rogin
May 15, 2014
And four million people self-report a dependence on the drug.
Many European countries are more vulnerable to Russian retaliation due to their dependence on Russia for their natural gas.
I never gave the worst interpretation of your dependence: I always gave it the highest one, the justification of your creation.
Historical Examples
Consider what you are about—this work of yours is the only dependence we have in the world.
Tales And Novels, Volume 4 (of 10)Maria Edgeworth
All my dependence, all my hopes, are in your mother's favour.
Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
The greater her disappointment from them, the greater must be her dependence on me.
Clarissa, Volume 3 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
His dependence for that must be founded in the doctrine of the other preacher.
BunyanJames Anthony Froude
It was fortunate for the country, that this was their dependence.
Chronicles of Border WarfareAlexander Scott Withers
dependence
sometimes US dependance
- the state or fact of being dependent, esp for support or help
- reliance; trust; confidence
- rare an object or person relied upon
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for dependence
n.
early 15c., from Middle French dépendance, from dependre (see depend). Originally also dependance (the earlier form), depending whether the writer had French or Latin foremost in mind; the Latin form gradually predominated and after c.1800 dependance is rare. As an adjective from c.1600.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
dependence
(dĭ-pĕn′dəns)
- The state of being dependent, as for support.
- Subordination to someone or something needed or greatly desired.
- A compulsive or chronic need; an addiction.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.