dependence

or de·pend·ance

[ dih-pen-duhns ]

/ dɪˈpɛn dəns /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: dependence / dependences on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of dependence

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

OTHER WORDS FROM dependence

non·de·pend·ance, nounnon·de·pend·ence, nouno·ver·de·pend·ence, nounpre·de·pend·ence, noun

self-de·pend·ence, nounsem·i·de·pend·ence, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use dependence in a sentence

It is clear that I can have no dependance on his word, if won; and I have not even aught wherewith to buy it.
Eugene Aram, Complete|Edward Bulwer-Lytton
Yet it has not been dependance; he is too generous to let us feel that.
Aunt Phillis's Cabin|Mary H. Eastman
Indolent, and by long habit worthless, no dependance could be placed on them.
An Account of the English Colony in New South Wales, Vol. 1|David Collins
The mutual connexion, and dependance of things, upon each other.
Conversations on Natural Philosophy, in which the Elements of that Science are Familiarly Explained|Jane Haldimand Marcet and Thomas P. Jones

Religion, my honoured Madam, has not only been all my life my chief dependance, but my dearest enjoyment.
The Letters of Robert Burns|Robert Burns

British Dictionary definitions for dependence

dependence

sometimes US dependance

/ (dɪˈpɛndəns) /

noun

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

dependence

or de·pend·ance

Origin of dependence

OTHER WORDS FROM dependence

Words related to dependence

How to use dependence in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for dependence

sometimes US dependance