dependence

noun

de·​pen·​dence di-ˈpen-dən(t)s 

variants or less commonly dependance

1

: the quality or state of being dependent

especially : the quality or state of being influenced or determined by or subject to another

2

: reliance, trust

3

: one that is relied on

4

a

: drug addiction

developed a dependence on painkillers

b

: habituation sense 2b

Synonyms of dependence

• dependency
• reliance

Examples of dependence in a Sentence

The company was hurt by its dependence on government loans.

Our dependence upon foreign oil makes our economy vulnerable.

a harmful dependence on foreign oil

Recent Examples on the Web

And China’s industrial and supply chain dominance has pushed many countries to reduce their dependence on the country, eroding Beijing’s principal source of leverage. —Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025

If the technologies that define the future are instead developed under adversarial regimes, the United States risks dependence on foreign powers not only for products but for strategic capabilities. —Gary Locke, Fortune, 12 Dec. 2025

Germany’s biggest obstacles are bureaucracy, strict export controls and heavy dependence on a single customer — the country’s armed forces, Ponomarev added. —Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2025

That worried Huang, who fears a Chinese rival, and White House officials, who believe Chinese dependence on non-frontier American chips is the best way to ensure a lead in AI. —Charlie Campbell, Time, 11 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English dependaunce, borrowed from Anglo-French dependence, dependance, from dependant dependent entry 1 + -ence, -ance -ence, -ance

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dependence

• linear dependence
• self-dependence

Rhymes for dependence

• ascendance
• attendance
• dependance
• transcendence
• interdependence
• superintendence
• tendance

Kids Definition

dependence

noun

de·​pend·​ence

di-ˈpen-dən(t)s

1

: the quality or state of being dependent

especially : the quality or state of being influenced by or subject to another

2

: reliance sense 2, trust

3

: something on which one relies

4

: a drug addiction

Medical Definition

dependence

noun

de·​pen·​dence di-ˈpen-dən(t)s 

1

: the quality or state of being dependent upon or unduly subject to the influence of another

2

a

: drug addiction

b

: habituation sense 2b