dependence

or de·pend·ance

[ dih-pen-duhns ]

/ dɪˈpɛn dəns /

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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.

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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

Words nearby dependence

depauperate, depend, dependability, dependable, dependant, dependence, dependency, dependency-prone, dependent, dependent clause, dependent variable

How to use dependence in a sentence

Our unprecedented dependence on mail-in voting is precisely why it is important to take a serious look at the security of the process.
Voting by mail is more secure than the President says. How to make it even safer|matthewheimer|September 13, 2020|Fortune
Interestingly, Erdogan has an ambition for Turkey to not only eradicate its dependence on energy imports but to become a net exporter of energy, too.
Turkey’s push for energy security needs more renewables than gas|eamonbarrett|September 3, 2020|Fortune
Marketers are once again grumbling about their dependence on Facebook and Google.
‘Too beholden’: Why the TikTok ban has marketers griping about their reliance on Facebook and Google|Kristina Monllos|August 17, 2020|Digiday
Women’s lifestyle magazines haven’t faced as many closures during coronavirus as other niche titles, but there’s still a heavy dependence on print revenues that’s unlikely to return, said independent media consultant Colin Morrison.
‘No brainer’: Marie Claire launches sampling business to boost revenue and data practice|Lucinda Southern|August 3, 2020|Digiday

The aforementioned dependence on digital devices as a way to interact with other people seems reprehensible now that we don’t even have the in-person option.
4 Non-Obvious Trends That Matter During This Pandemic|Vanessa Bates Ramirez|May 25, 2020|Singularity Hub
The claim of reduced dependence on foreign oil suppliers is also suspect.
The Pipeline From Hell: There’s No Good Reason to Build Keystone XL|Jack Holmes|November 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This kind of dependence on donors is a broader, older idea of “corruption” than bribery.
Undo Citizens United? We’d Only Scratch the Surface|Jedediah Purdy|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The most credible scientific data on wolverine behavior documents an absolute dependence on “persistent spring snow habitat.”
Who Will Save the Wolverine? Not the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service|Doug Peacock|July 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In her talk on Wednesday, Clinton also took credit for weaning several other countries off of their dependence on Iranian oil.
Hillary Clinton Celebrates the Iran Sanctions That Her State Department Tried to Stop|Josh Rogin|May 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
With coal plants on the way out, what you end up with is a power mix with an unprecedented dependence on one fuel.
Keystone Pipeline Is D.C.’s Dumbest Debate|Claire Casey|May 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Allcraft winced, as every syllable made known the speaker's actual strength—his own dependence and utter weakness.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
Nor need they live under the same roof, the essential thing is the relation and dependence existing between them.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
The question of dependence is one of fact; contributions by the deceased tend to establish this, but are not conclusive.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
Confusedly, the young man in the library had made her feel for the first time what might be the sweetness of dependence.
Summer|Edith Wharton
To this day in Servia the popular forms of swearing express dependence and reliance upon the powers of nature.
A Cursory History of Swearing|Julian Sharman

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 nearby dependence

Words related to dependence

How to use dependence in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for dependence

sometimes US dependance