independence

¹

[in-di-pen-duhns]

noun

1. Also the state or quality of being independent.

2. freedom from the control, influence, support, aid, or the like, of others.

3. Archaic.,  a competency.

Independence

²

[in-di-pen-duhns]

noun

1. a city in W Missouri: starting point of the Santa Fe and Oregon trails.

2. a town in SE Kansas.

Independence

¹

/ ˌɪndɪˈpɛndəns /

noun

1. a city in W Missouri, near Kansas City: starting point for the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California Trails (1831–44). Pop: 112 079 (2003 est)

independence

²

/ ˌɪndɪˈpɛndəns /

noun

1. Also called: independency. the state or quality of being independent

Independence

1. City in western Missouri.

Beginning of the Santa Fe Trail, used by settlers moving west.

Other Word Forms

• interindependence noun
• postindependence adjective
• preindependence noun
• superindependence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Independence¹

First recorded in 1630–40; independ(ent) + -ence

Synonym Study

See freedom.

Related Words

• ability 
• autonomy 
• self-determination 
• self-government 
• self-reliance 
• self-rule 
• self-sufficiency www.thesaurus.com
• separation 
• sovereignty