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.

---

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

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• dependences
  plural

Etymology

Origin of dependence

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dependence dependences

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

"Here, the temperature and magnetic-field dependence, together with the improved sample quality, all came together to reveal a remarkably consistent picture of the pair density wave state."

From Science Daily ● 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

Nobody plotted the Agricultural Revolution or sought human dependence on cereal cultivation.

From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari

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

These natural dependences carry with them natural uncovenanted obediences,—to parents, filial duty—to country, loyalty—to God, piety: all which are embraced in the Latin term pietas.

From Moral Philosophy by Joseph Rickaby, S.J.

Homes of American Statesmen":307 "His home was usually filled with friends, its dependences with their retinue and horses.

From Historic Shrines of America Being the Story of One Hundred and Twenty Historic Buildings and the Pioneers Who Made Them Notable by John T. (John Thomson) Faris

Related Words

• confidence
• dependency