dependent

or de·pend·ant

[ dih-pen-duhnt ]

/ dɪˈpɛn dənt /

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See synonyms for: dependent / dependents on Thesaurus.com

adjective

relying on someone or something else for aid, support, etc.

conditioned or determined by something else; contingent: Our trip is dependent on the weather.

subordinate; subject: a dependent territory.

Grammar. not used in isolation; used only in connection with other forms. In I walked out when the bell rang, when the bell rang is a dependent clause.Compare independent (def. 14), main¹ (def. 4).

hanging down; pendent.

Mathematics.

(of a variable) having values determined by one or more independent variables.
(of an equation) having solutions that are identical to those of another equation or to those of a set of equations.

Statistics. (of an event or a value) not statistically independent.

noun

a person who depends on or needs someone or something for aid, support, favor, etc.

a child, spouse, parent, or certain other relative to whom one contributes all or a major amount of necessary financial support: She listed two dependents on her income-tax form.

Archaic. a subordinate part.

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Origin of dependent

First recorded in 1375–1425, dependent is from the late Middle English word dependaunt.See depend, -ent

OTHER WORDS FROM dependent

de·pend·ent·ly, de·pend·ant·ly, adverbo·ver·de·pend·ent, adjectivepre·de·pend·ent, adjectivequa·si-de·pend·ent, adjective

qua·si-de·pend·ent·ly, adverbself-de·pend·ent, adjectiveself-de·pend·ent·ly, adverbsem·i·de·pend·ent, adjectivesem·i·de·pend·ent·ly, adverbun·de·pend·ent, adjective

Words nearby dependent

dependable, dependant, dependence, dependency, dependency-prone, dependent, dependent clause, dependent variable, depeople, De Pere, deperm

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use dependent in a sentence

We’ve researched the best desk chairs dependent on the way you’ll want to use them.
Best desk chair for any home office|PopSci Commerce Team|February 11, 2021|Popular-Science
Because temperatures were so marginal for accumulation, between 31 and 35 degrees, amounts tended to be elevation-dependent.
After Sunday’s slush fest, another winter storm threatens by Wednesday night|Jason Samenow, Wes Junker|February 8, 2021|Washington Post
The post Publishers worry Taboola’s SPAC funding could make them more dependent on its ad revenue appeared first on Digiday.
Publishers worry Taboola’s SPAC funding could make them more dependent on its ad revenue|Sara Guaglione|February 8, 2021|Digiday
Community, though dependent on technology, will exist, at least for one precious day.
This odd Super Bowl will bring us together for a day. Let’s not take that for granted.|Jerry Brewer|February 5, 2021|Washington Post

When storms in the Ohio Valley dissipate and transfer their energy to a new coastal storm, snowfall in Washington is heavily dependent on where the new storm forms and how quickly it develops.
How an imperfect snowstorm forecast turned out mostly right|Jason Samenow|February 3, 2021|Washington Post
Its graceful hotels and beautiful restaurants are totally dependent on the tourist trade.
Is Putin Turning to Terrorism in Ukraine?|Anna Nemtsova|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Conventional wisdom holds that most excessive drinkers are alcohol dependent.
Americans Drink Too Much, But We’re Not All Alcoholics|Gabrielle Glaser|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Our ability to feel seen is truly dependent on being in relation to someone else.
Why You’re Happily Married and Having an Affair|Ryan Selzer|November 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In 2014, any dependent youth who earns more than $6,200 will have to report those earnings to the IRS.
Paying Taxes and Going to Jail Like Adults; Teens Deserve the Right to Vote, Too|Jillian Keenan|October 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Uzbekistan, largely dependent on cotton, the industry of white gold, could not afford to re-channel water to its half.
The Aral Sea's Disappearing Act|Anna Nemtsova|October 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Without having represented to your husband the propriety of first consulting his father, on whom he is dependent, I think?
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, v. 2(of 2)|Charles Dickens
It was stated by the deputation that 5,000 families were dependent on the jewellery trades in Birmingham.
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham|Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell
It is dependent on that covenant as made with the Mediator, and consistent with it as established with men.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham
"As much dependent on Great Britain as one perfectly free people can be on another," the Farmer said.
The Eve of the Revolution|Carl Becker
But until these organs are properly developed, the plant is dependent on the matters contained in the seed itself.
Elements of Agricultural Chemistry|Thomas Anderson

British Dictionary definitions for dependent

dependent

sometimes US dependant

/ (dɪˈpɛndənt) /

adjective

depending on a person or thing for aid, support, life, etc

(postpositive; foll by on or upon) influenced or conditioned (by); contingent (on)

subordinate; subjecta dependent prince

obsolete hanging down

maths

(of a variable) having a value depending on that assumed by a related independent variable
(of a linear equation) having every solution as a solution of one or more given linear equations

noun

grammar an element in a phrase or clause that is not the governor

a variant spelling (esp US) of dependant

Derived forms of dependent

dependently, adverb

undefined dependent

Avoid confusion with dependant

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

dependent

or de·pend·ant

Origin of dependent

OTHER WORDS FROM dependent

Words nearby dependent

Words related to dependent

How to use dependent in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for dependent

sometimes US dependant

Derived forms of dependent

undefined dependent