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
3
: one that is relied on
4
a
: drug addiction
developed a dependence on painkillers
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
Should the bold promises of AI fall short, the dependence among these major AI players could trigger a devastating chain reaction, causing a widespread collapse similar to the 2008 Great Financial Crisis.
—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025
The company believes the system and its ability to generate energy directly onboard could help ships reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, at the same time, improving operational efficiency and lowering CO2 emissions.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025
Yet the growing dependence on a small sliver of consumers at the top carries risks.
—Robert Frank, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
Washington has grown increasingly concerned about its heavy dependence on Taiwan, where chip giant TSMC supplies the vast majority of the world’s advanced semiconductors to major clients like AI chip designer Nvidia and Apple.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dependence
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Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025
The company believes the system and its ability to generate energy directly onboard could help ships reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, at the same time, improving operational efficiency and lowering CO2 emissions.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025
Yet the growing dependence on a small sliver of consumers at the top carries risks.
—Robert Frank, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
Washington has grown increasingly concerned about its heavy dependence on Taiwan, where chip giant TSMC supplies the vast majority of the world’s advanced semiconductors to major clients like AI chip designer Nvidia and Apple.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dependence
Cite this Entry
“Dependence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dependence. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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