dependent

or de·pend·ant

[ dih-pen-duhnt ]

adjective

1. relying on someone or something else for aid, support, etc.
2. conditioned or determined by something else; contingent:

   Our trip is dependent on the weather.

3. subordinate; subject:

   a dependent territory.

4. Grammar. not used in isolation; used only in connection with other forms. In I walked out when the bell rang, when the bell rang is a dependent clause. Compare independent ( def 14 ), main ¹( def 4 ).
5. hanging down; pendent.
6. Mathematics.
   1. (of a variable) having values determined by one or more independent variables.
   2. (of an equation) having solutions that are identical to those of another equation or to those of a set of equations.
7. Statistics. (of an event or a value) not statistically independent.

noun

1. a person who depends on or needs someone or something for aid, support, favor, etc.
2. a child, spouse, parent, or certain other relative to whom one contributes all or a major amount of necessary financial support:

   She listed two dependents on her income-tax form.

3. Archaic. a subordinate part.

dependent

/ dɪˈpɛndənt /

adjective

1. depending on a person or thing for aid, support, life, etc
2. postpositive; foll by on or upon influenced or conditioned (by); contingent (on)
3. subordinate; subject

   a dependent prince

4. obsolete.
   hanging down
5. maths
   1. (of a variable) having a value depending on that assumed by a related independent variable
   2. (of a linear equation) having every solution as a solution of one or more given linear equations

noun

1. grammar an element in a phrase or clause that is not the governor
2. a variant spelling (esp US) of dependant

Usage

See dependant

Derived Forms

• deˈpendently, adverb

Other Words From

• de·pendent·ly de·pendant·ly adverb
• over·de·pendent adjective
• prede·pendent adjective
• quasi-de·pendent adjective
• quasi-de·pendent·ly adverb
• self-de·pendent adjective
• self-de·pendent·ly adverb
• semi·de·pendent adjective
• semi·de·pendent·ly adverb
• unde·pendent adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dependent¹

First recorded in 1375–1425, dependent is from the late Middle English word dependaunt. See depend, -ent

Example Sentences

“So, like the Gulf depends on oil, and the Americans on business, our economy is dependent on the olive tree.”

From BBC

Hospital pharmacists will typically make bespoke medicines for highly dependent patients with niche needs.

From BBC

Beauty is not “dependent on the color of your eyes or the color of your hair or your cheekbones or your weight,” she says.

From Los Angeles Times

However, MRI interpretation is highly time-consuming and heavily dependent on expertise.

From Science Daily

Ribosomes are dependent upon magnesium ions since this metal cation helps stabilize their structure and function.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• defenseless
• poor
• reliant
• vulnerable