Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

interdependent

American  
[in-ter-di-pen-duhnt] / ˌɪn tər dɪˈpɛn dənt /

adjective

  1. mutually dependent; depending on each other.


interdependent British  
/ ˌɪntədɪˈpɛndənt /

adjective

  1. relating to two or more people or things dependent on each other

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of interdependent

First recorded in 1810–20; inter- + dependent

Explanation

When objects or people are interdependent, they come to rely on each other for survival. As business becomes more and more international, the world is increasingly interdependent, with countries needing each other's help to survive. Interdependent comes from the Latin word inter meaning "among, between," and dependere which means "to hang from, be dependent on." When two people are interdependent, they have a sense of dependency between them. Married couples are often interdependent. They rely on one another — whether for income or child care or love — to get by.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing interdependent

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Interdependent society, because it did have class elements, is out of step with the zeitgeist these days.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2016

Interdependent partners The new pattern of society already foreshadows this future role of Government.

From Time Magazine Archive