dependence

or de·pend·ance

[ dih-pen-duhns ]

noun

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.

dependence

/ 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

Other Words From

• nonde·pendance noun
• nonde·pendence noun
• over·de·pendence noun
• prede·pendence noun
• self-de·pendence noun
• semi·de·pendence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dependence¹

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

Example Sentences

“For women, love, dating, marriage and childbirth were no longer perceived as refuges of peace and safety, but the site of exposure to male violence and subordination,” feminist scholar Yoon-kim Ji-young wrote in 2020, describing the 4B movement as “the complete severing of any emotional, mental, financial or physical dependence on men.”

From Los Angeles Times

It did not model the impact of its blueprint on consumer bills "given the heavy dependence on policy choices".

From BBC

Charlamagne has repeatedly condemned what he sees as CNN's dependence on both-sides-ism and horse race journalism.

From Salon

Policies encouraging settler colonialism ultimately led to more sedentary lifestyles and a dependence on fast, convenient and processed foods – such as hamburgers – regardless of the individual or environmental costs.

From Salon

The group says programmes in the centre are superficial and focused on "shame" - failing to tackle the root causes of drug dependence.

From BBC

Related Words

• confidence
• dependency