interdependence

noun

in·​ter·​de·​pen·​dence ˌin-tər-di-ˈpen-dən(t)s How to pronounce interdependence (audio)
variants or interdependency
plural interdependences or interdependencies
1
: the state of being dependent upon one another : mutual dependence
interdependence of the two nations' economies
… a form of symbiosis, of close mutual interdependence of two species of organisms.Marston Bates
… the deep psychological interdependence between ourselves and those we love.Judith A. Savage
… understood the interdependence of mental, physical, and spiritual health.Donald N. Levine
But plants happen to grow in these little universes we call ecosystems, where they are sustained by complex webs of interdependency with fungi, microbes, animals, and other plants.Kenneth Brower
2
: a mutually dependent relationship
Growing global interdependencies further muddy the debate, making it harder to know who "we" are and what "our" national interests really are.Peter H. Schuck
There are complex interdependences among these factors …Victor H. Benenberg

Examples of interdependence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Read: Why Americans suddenly stopped hanging out When thinking about our deepest relationships, Levine prefers the concept of interdependence, which emphasizes our interconnectivity as a species. Elissa Strauss, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2024 Emphasize that the future is uncertain and interdependence is key, encouraging everyone to contribute their thoughts and voices. Andrew Sever, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 Second, the world developed a perverse form of interdependence, as instability in one region exacerbated instability in another. Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 26 Jan. 2024 Although the starting point of this cold war is different because of the much greater economic interdependence between today’s superpowers, the optimal strategy may turn out to be essentially the same as before. Niall Ferguson, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024 Hanseatic League traders enjoyed toll privileges, protection in affiliated communities and their trade routes, economic interdependence, and all sorts of alliances between ruling families, otherwise known today as good foreign relations. Eli Amdur, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 But the findings of two reports from Pew Research Center show an interdependence between parents and their young adult offspring is both welcome and needed. Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2024 This division of labor assumed that democracy was ascendant and that interdependence was mutually beneficial. Daniel Foster, National Review, 30 Nov. 2023 Through Peace’s story, Ejiofor explores the violent impact of the carceral state and the fraught interdependence of a father and his son. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'interdependence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of interdependence was in 1817

Dictionary Entries Near interdependence

Cite this Entry

“Interdependence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interdependence. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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