dependence

American  

[dih-pen-duhns] / dɪˈpɛn dəns /

Or dependance

noun

• dependences
  plural

1. the state of relying on or needing someone or something for aid, support, or the like.

2. reliance; confidence; trust.

   Her complete reliability earned her our dependence.

3. an object of reliance or trust.

4. the state of being conditional or contingent on something, as through a natural or logical sequence.

   the dependence of an effect upon a cause.

5. the state of being psychologically or physiologically dependent on a drug after a prolonged period of use.

6. subordination or subjection.

   the dependence of Martinique upon France.

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dependence British  

/ dɪˈpɛndəns /

noun

1. the state or fact of being dependent, esp for support or help

2. reliance; trust; confidence

3. rare an object or person relied upon

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nondependance
  noun
• nondependence
  noun
• overdependence
  noun
• predependence
  noun
• self-dependence
  noun
• semidependence
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• dependences
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of dependence

1400–50; late Middle English dependaunce < Old French dependance, equivalent to depend ( re ) ( see depend) + -ance -ence

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Explanation

Dependence is a state where someone is heavily reliant on someone or something else. This could mean the dependence of children on parents or an addict on a drug. Since to depend on someone is to need them, dependence is a state or condition of strong need. There are many kinds of dependence: a dog is in a state of dependence with his master. This word is also often used for drug and alcohol dependence, which is known as addiction. Dependence a strong word for extreme needs: liking something, like chocolate, isn't really dependence. The opposite of dependence is independence: being self-reliant and not needing others.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dependence dependences

AI is actually more likely to deepen dependence on those platforms, he wrote.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 12, 2026

In June, Microsoft also unveiled its own cutting-edge artificial intelligence models -- a crucial step toward reducing its dependence on OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT.

From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026

Moreover, the country was able to drastically reduce its dependence on China, which held a 70% share of the local toy market.

From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026

“Using less gas means less dependence on oil, less exposure to global oil shocks, and less pollution from vehicles and oil production. And it means drivers spend less money at the pump.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026

In short, I can feel no dependence on his coming, and I wish Mr. Weston were less sanguine.”

From "Emma" by Jane Austen

A breakdown of the properties registered overseas shows they went to a total of 51 different countries or crown dependences, including Russia and the Cayman Islands.

From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026

A breakdown of the properties registered overseas shows they went to a total of 44 different countries or crown dependences, including Russia and the Cayman Islands.

From BBC ● May 12, 2026

Here, though, the men’s relationship, with its kindness, virtues and mutual dependences, also offers a vision of an American dream not yet wholly corrupted by unbridled self-interest.

From New York Times ● Sep. 26, 2019

Hence arises the various modes, states, circumstances, conditions and situations in beings and things: also their different properties, relations and dependences.

From A Series of Letters in Defence of Divine Revelation by Hosea Ballou

Fortunately, the same crowded city conditions which make moral isolation possible, constantly tend to develop a new restraint founded upon the mutual dependences of city life and its daily necessities.

From A New Conscience and an Ancient Evil by Jane Addams

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Related Words

• confidence
• dependency

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