interdependence

noun

in·​ter·​de·​pen·​dence ˌin-tər-di-ˈpen-dən(t)s 

variants or interdependency

ˌin-tər-di-ˈpen-dən(t)-sē 

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

The lesson of these tales, relayed in the backyard between Stool Pigeon’s house and King and Ruby’s, is one of helpless interdependence in a world that is just too small and too chaotic for individual kingdoms. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024

Naturally there is a German compound noun for that interdependence, endlessly slung around and debated in the last few months. —Jason Farago, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2024

Strategists who argue that economic interdependence between the United States and China will make their rivalry less conflictual than the Cold War are overlooking the fundamental difference between today’s overlapping security relationships and the security blocs of the twentieth century. —Sheena Chestnut Greitens, Foreign Affairs, 15 Mar. 2024

Competition with China is taking place against the backdrop of thick economic interdependence and commercial ties between it and the United States. —William J. Burns, Foreign Affairs, 30 Jan. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1