dependence

Or de·pend·ance

[dih-pen-duhns]

noun

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

/ 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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of dependence¹

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

Example Sentences

Increased oil exports to Asia would reduce Canada's economic dependence on an unreliable United States, he said.

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Private consumption is the primary driver of growth, with limited dependence on merchandise exports, a large service sector and relatively little manufacturing as a share of GDP.

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Private consumption is the primary driver of growth, with limited dependence on merchandise exports, a large service sector and relatively little manufacturing as a share of GDP.

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"This will significantly reduce dependence on foreign centres, costs, and turnaround times," he said.

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European officials are considering pooling dollars to reduce Fed swap-line dependence.

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Related Words

• confidence 
• dependency