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.

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

Confusables Note

See dependant

Other Word Forms

• dependently adverb
• dependantly adverb
• overdependent adjective
• predependent adjective
• quasi-dependent adjective
• quasi-dependently adverb
• self-dependent adjective
• self-dependently adverb
• semidependent adjective
• semidependently adverb
• undependent 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

This is conquest economics, meant to drive competitors out of business and make them dependent on China.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

While the content of the patient’s memories erodes catastrophically, leaving them disabled and dependent, the patient nonetheless seems to retain the essence of his or her healthy former self.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“China’s actions have once again demonstrated the risk of being dependent on them on rare earth, and for that matter anything,” Bessent told reporters in Washington.

Read more on Barron's

The researchers use the comparison of a bowling ball flying through the air, which is not much affected by drag force, and a floating feather, which is highly dependent on it.

Read more on Science Daily

Kyiv remains dependent on Western arms donations to push back Russian troops, although it has been developing its own defence industry.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• defenseless 
• poor 
• reliant 
• vulnerable