dependence

American  

[dih-pen-duhns] / dɪˈpɛn dəns /

Or dependance

noun

• dependences
  plural

1. the state of relying on or needing someone or something for aid, support, or the like.

2. reliance; confidence; trust.

   Her complete reliability earned her our dependence.

3. an object of reliance or trust.

4. the state of being conditional or contingent on something, as through a natural or logical sequence.

   the dependence of an effect upon a cause.

5. the state of being psychologically or physiologically dependent on a drug after a prolonged period of use.

6. subordination or subjection.

   the dependence of Martinique upon France.

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dependence British  

/ dɪˈpɛndəns /

noun

1. the state or fact of being dependent, esp for support or help

2. reliance; trust; confidence

3. rare an object or person relied upon

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nondependance
  noun
• nondependence
  noun
• overdependence
  noun
• predependence
  noun
• self-dependence
  noun
• semidependence
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• dependences
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of dependence

1400–50; late Middle English dependaunce < Old French dependance, equivalent to depend ( re ) ( see depend) + -ance -ence

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Explanation

Dependence is a state where someone is heavily reliant on someone or something else. This could mean the dependence of children on parents or an addict on a drug. Since to depend on someone is to need them, dependence is a state or condition of strong need. There are many kinds of dependence: a dog is in a state of dependence with his master. This word is also often used for drug and alcohol dependence, which is known as addiction. Dependence a strong word for extreme needs: liking something, like chocolate, isn't really dependence. The opposite of dependence is independence: being self-reliant and not needing others.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dependence dependences

This could generate high-quality jobs in India, lessen Western dependence on China, and deepen U.S.-India technology relations.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026

The sector faces rising production costs, energy shortages, international competition and heavy dependence on Western retailers.

From Barron's ● Nov. 2, 2026

I’m considerably less enthusiastic about the possibility of an algorithm deciding that my apparent dependence on black beans means I could stand to pay another 30 cents per can.

From Salon ● Nov. 2, 2026

JPL is the largest piece of Caltech’s dependence on Washington.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026

No matter what suffering they witnessed and how much they suffered themselves, though, the one thing Marina’s aviators could rely on to bring them strength and comfort was their dependence on each other.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

A breakdown of the properties registered overseas shows they went to a total of 51 different countries or crown dependences, including Russia and the Cayman Islands.

From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026

A breakdown of the properties registered overseas shows they went to a total of 44 different countries or crown dependences, including Russia and the Cayman Islands.

From BBC ● May 12, 2026

Here, though, the men’s relationship, with its kindness, virtues and mutual dependences, also offers a vision of an American dream not yet wholly corrupted by unbridled self-interest.

From New York Times ● Sep. 26, 2019

Homes of American Statesmen":307 "His home was usually filled with friends, its dependences with their retinue and horses.

From Historic Shrines of America Being the Story of One Hundred and Twenty Historic Buildings and the Pioneers Who Made Them Notable by John T. (John Thomson) Faris

I shall take for granted that you have a fairly plain idea of the stomach and its dependences.

From The Easiest Way in Housekeeping and Cooking Adapted to Domestic Use or Study in Classes by Helen Campbell

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Related Words

• confidence
• dependency

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