interdependent
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- interdependence noun
- interdependency noun
- interdependently adverb
- noninterdependent adjective
- noninterdependently adverb
Etymology
Origin of interdependent
Explanation
When objects or people are interdependent, they come to rely on each other for survival. As business becomes more and more international, the world is increasingly interdependent, with countries needing each other's help to survive. Interdependent comes from the Latin word inter meaning "among, between," and dependere which means "to hang from, be dependent on." When two people are interdependent, they have a sense of dependency between them. Married couples are often interdependent. They rely on one another — whether for income or child care or love — to get by.
Vocabulary lists containing interdependent
Life Science: Ecosystems
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Ecology - Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems - Introductory
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Ecology - Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems - Middle School and High School
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
The group noted, for instance, that Yale’s mission statement grew in 2016 to include “improving the world today” and fostering “an ethical, interdependent, and diverse community.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026
The theory ignores the fact that federal powers are both separate and interdependent, as well as the importance of checks and balances within the government.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2025
"Given the globalised and interdependent nature of our planet, the concern will be that these diseases could spread quickly and far."
From BBC • Feb. 8, 2025
Which is, in today's interdependent world, not that effective.
From Salon • May 26, 2024
In some species, the members are so tied to each other and interdependent as to seem the loosely conjoined cells of a tissue.
From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas
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.
