1
: from this place : away
Was that my father that went hence so fast?—
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare2
a
archaic
: henceforth
b
: from this time
four years hence
3
4
: from this source or origin
Examples of hence in a Sentence
Resource-rich countries don't need to levy taxes, so there is little pressure for government accountability, and hence fewer checks and balances.
—Niall Ferguson, New York Times Book Review, 1 July 2007
Panforte—a cross between a cake and a candy—is a classic Italian Christmas treat. It's a very dense, rich confection loaded with nuts, dried fruit, and spices (hence its name, which means "strong bread").
—Gourmet, December 2002
Common sense told the YA librarian that if ever she hoped to be successful with her clients, she would have to offset the prevailing attitude of most of the staff. Through determination and patience, she soon established herself as confidante, friend, and advisor to large numbers of middle and high school students. Hence, it was not surprising when she was approached one day by a young man and young woman with a request.
—A. J. Anderson, Library Journal, 1 May 1994
He knew he could not win the election—hence his decision to withdraw.
The company lost a great deal of money. Hence, the CEO was asked to resign.
What will life be like a century hence?
Niall Ferguson, New York Times Book Review, 1 July 2007
Panforte—a cross between a cake and a candy—is a classic Italian Christmas treat. It's a very dense, rich confection loaded with nuts, dried fruit, and spices (hence its name, which means "strong bread").
—Gourmet, December 2002
Common sense told the YA librarian that if ever she hoped to be successful with her clients, she would have to offset the prevailing attitude of most of the staff. Through determination and patience, she soon established herself as confidante, friend, and advisor to large numbers of middle and high school students. Hence, it was not surprising when she was approached one day by a young man and young woman with a request.
—A. J. Anderson, Library Journal, 1 May 1994
He knew he could not win the election—hence his decision to withdraw.
The company lost a great deal of money. Hence, the CEO was asked to resign.
What will life be like a century hence?
Recent Examples on the Web
This one is built around cardamom, cinnamon, leather, and vanilla bean, and it’s meant to evoke the energy of Louis XIV (the Sun King, hence the sun motif on the bottle).
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 6 Nov. 2025
Close appears to have been using the All’s Fair Paris premiere red carpet for reference, hence Nash-Betts’s hat and Kardashian’s ponytail.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2025
Even Milo’s abduction is looked upon as something the women somehow allowed to happen, hence the title, All Her Fault.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
Animated films can take a long time to make, hence the potential four-year gap between installments.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hence
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Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 6 Nov. 2025
Close appears to have been using the All’s Fair Paris premiere red carpet for reference, hence Nash-Betts’s hat and Kardashian’s ponytail.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2025
Even Milo’s abduction is looked upon as something the women somehow allowed to happen, hence the title, All Her Fault.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
Animated films can take a long time to make, hence the potential four-year gap between installments.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hence
Cite this Entry
“Hence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hence. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hence
adverb1
: from this place or time
a week hence
2
: consequently, therefore
was a newcomer and hence had no close friends in the city
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