dependent
or de·pend·ant
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.
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.
Origin of dependent
1Other words from dependent
- 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
Words Nearby dependent
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use dependent in a sentence
We’ve researched the best desk chairs dependent on the way you’ll want to use them.
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 PostThe 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 | DigidayCommunity, 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 PostWhen 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.
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 | THE DAILY BEASTOur ability to feel seen is truly dependent on being in relation to someone else.
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 | THE DAILY BEASTUzbekistan, largely dependent on cotton, the industry of white gold, could not afford to re-channel water to its half.
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 DickensIt 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 ShowellIt 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 BeckerBut 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
sometimes US dependant
/ (dɪˈpɛndənt) /
depending on a person or thing for aid, support, life, etc
(postpositive; foll by on or upon) influenced or conditioned (by); contingent (on)
subordinate; subject: a 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
grammar an element in a phrase or clause that is not the governor
a variant spelling (esp US) of dependant
confusable For dependent
Derived forms of dependent
- dependently, adverb
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
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