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
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.
Warner Bros Discovery also stressed the dependence of the Paramount offer on foreign investors -- $24 billion of the financing comes from Middle East sovereign wealth funds -- which could require further government approval.
From Barron's
When firms diversify away from single-country dependence, supply chains shorten and overall risk decreases.
In a sign of deepening concern among other Western governments, the European Union announced new measures this month to reduce the bloc's dependence on China for securing the critical minerals.
From Barron's
As Europe seeks to curb its dependence on China for rare earths, plans to mine the continent's biggest deposit have hit a roadblock over fears that mining operations could harm endangered beetles, mosses and mushrooms.
From Barron's
The economy’s dependence on AI spending is also creating uncertainty.
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.
