dependent

or de·pend·ant

[ dih-pen-duhnt ]

adjective

1. relying on someone or something else for aid, support, etc.
2. conditioned or determined by something else; contingent:

   Our trip is dependent on the weather.

3. subordinate; subject:

   a dependent territory.

4. 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 ), main ¹( def 4 ).
5. hanging down; pendent.
6. Mathematics.
   1. (of a variable) having values determined by one or more independent variables.
   2. (of an equation) having solutions that are identical to those of another equation or to those of a set of equations.
7. Statistics. (of an event or a value) not statistically independent.

noun

1. a person who depends on or needs someone or something for aid, support, favor, etc.
2. 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.

3. Archaic. a subordinate part.

dependent

/ dɪˈpɛndənt /

adjective

1. depending on a person or thing for aid, support, life, etc
2. postpositive; foll by on or upon influenced or conditioned (by); contingent (on)
3. subordinate; subject

   a dependent prince

4. obsolete.
   hanging down
5. maths
   1. (of a variable) having a value depending on that assumed by a related independent variable
   2. (of a linear equation) having every solution as a solution of one or more given linear equations

noun

1. grammar an element in a phrase or clause that is not the governor
2. a variant spelling (esp US) of dependant

Usage

See dependant

Derived Forms

• deˈpendently, adverb

Other Word Forms

• de·pendent·ly de·pendant·ly adverb
• over·de·pendent adjective
• prede·pendent adjective
• quasi-de·pendent adjective
• quasi-de·pendent·ly adverb
• self-de·pendent adjective
• self-de·pendent·ly adverb
• semi·de·pendent adjective
• semi·de·pendent·ly adverb
• unde·pendent adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dependent¹

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

Example Sentences

Trump has repeatedly showed interest in taking control of the autonomous Danish dependent territory and has refused to rule out economic or military force to take control of it.

From BBC

The financial markets that California’s progressive tax structure is dependent on shot up in response before bouncing up and down the rest of the week.

From Los Angeles Times

"The problem we have created for ourselves is that we have been dependent on the US market for such a long time and have not sought to diversify into other markets."

From BBC

Still, Windsor's economy is dependent on automakers, and heavily relies on trade with the United States.

From BBC

"The future of what happens to America is dependent upon your generation."

From BBC

Related Words

• defenseless
• poor
• reliant
• vulnerable