dependency

American  

[dih-pen-duhn-see] / dɪˈpɛn dən si /

Or dependancy

noun

plural

dependencies

1. the state of being dependent; dependence.

2. something dependent or subordinate; appurtenance.

3. an outbuilding or annex.

4. a subject territory that is not an integral part of the ruling country.

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dependency British  

/ dɪˈpɛndənsɪ /

noun

1. a territory subject to a state on which it does not border

2. a dependent or subordinate person or thing

3. psychol overreliance by a person on another person or on a drug, etc

4. another word for dependence

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Other Word Forms

• nondependancy noun
• nondependency noun
• self-dependency noun

Etymology

Origin of dependency

First recorded in 1585–95; dependence + -y ³

Example Sentences

The requirements are meant to help biofuel producers and farmers who produce ethanol and to reduce dependency on foreign oil, the EPA said.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

Will crash shake golf from its dependency on Woods?

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

"When that happens, because it is happening, the demand on the service will increase because we'll have to move even more children to a high dependency unit."

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

The American president evidently hopes that this dependency can provide him the leverage he seeks over Tehran.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 2, 2026

Such examples of path dependency are the rule and not the exception.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton