interdependence
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
- interdependency noun
- noninterdependence noun
- noninterdependency noun
Etymology
Origin of interdependence
Explanation
Interdependence is mutual dependence between things. If you study biology, you’ll discover that there is a great deal of interdependence between plants and animals. Inter- means "between," so interdependence is dependence between things. We often use interdependence to describe complex systems. Marriage creates a state of interdependence between spouses. If your dog provides you with love and happiness, and you provide your dog with food and walks (and love and happiness), then your relationship with your dog is one of interdependence.
Vocabulary lists containing interdependence
Word Generation Science - Life Science
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Economics
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President Obama's Speech at Hiroshima
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
‘In the box’ thinking gave us the kind of interdependence that’s causing a lot of our problems, especially on supply chains.
From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026
For Beijing, its economy comes first - and it is this economic interdependence with countries across the region which gives it leverage and helps it project some influence.
From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026
What has changed today isn’t the level of interdependence, but the distribution of power embedded in asymmetric industrial capacity.
From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026
Warmly displaying their camaraderie and creative interdependence, Zinzi Coogler and Ohanian spilled more about their company over Zoom, including their early days, people who inspired them and how they’re adapting to the shifting media landscape.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2026
As we have seen, soil and the living things in and upon it exist in a relation of interdependence and mutual benefit.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
