dependence
Americannoun
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the state of relying on or needing someone or something for aid, support, or the like.
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reliance; confidence; trust.
Her complete reliability earned her our dependence.
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an object of reliance or trust.
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the state of being conditional or contingent on something, as through a natural or logical sequence.
the dependence of an effect upon a cause.
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the state of being psychologically or physiologically dependent on a drug after a prolonged period of use.
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subordination or subjection.
the dependence of Martinique upon France.
noun
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the state or fact of being dependent, esp for support or help
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reliance; trust; confidence
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rare an object or person relied upon
Other Word Forms
- nondependance noun
- nondependence noun
- overdependence noun
- predependence noun
- self-dependence noun
- semidependence noun
Etymology
Origin of dependence
1400–50; late Middle English dependaunce < Old French dependance, equivalent to depend ( re ) ( depend ) + -ance -ence
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.
Vocabulary lists containing dependence
Psychological Conditions and Disorders
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Psychology
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Jimmy Carter, Speech from July 15, 1979
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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.
The ChatGPT developer got its biggest backing from Amazon.com as it looks to lessen its dependence on Microsoft.
From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026
Wilson acknowledged a greater risk to international markets, owing to their heavy dependence on imported energy.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026
Defending this approach as "pragmatic", Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told the BBC the UK needed to move away from its dependence on fossil fuels and invest more in home-grown energy.
From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026
Solar power plays a major role in efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and address climate change.
From Science Daily • Mar. 28, 2026
Nobody plotted the Agricultural Revolution or sought human dependence on cereal cultivation.
From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
