dependency

noun

de·​pen·​den·​cy di-ˈpen-dən(t)-sē 

plural dependencies

1

: dependence sense 1

2

: something that is dependent on something else

especially : a territorial unit under the jurisdiction of a nation but not formally annexed by it

3

: a building (such as a stable) that is an adjunct to a main dwelling

Synonyms of dependency

• dependence
• reliance

Examples of dependency in a Sentence

the country's dependency on foreign oil

a dependency on foreign oil

Recent Examples on the Web

Speech systems introduce new prompts, new recognition dependencies and new escalation paths. —Liam Dunne, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026

The event took place at The Montálban Theatre in Los Angeles on April 22, with 100% of ticket sales going toward the organization’s mission of providing financial crisis relief, mental health therapy, chemical dependency treatment sponsorship, and community support for stand-up comedians. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 26 May 2026

Europe’s newfound openness to African industrialization is not because dependency suddenly became morally objectionable, but because Europe increasingly fears dependency itself. —W. Gyude Moore, semafor.com, 25 May 2026

But 80% of that capacity sits in transport equipment, metals, chemicals, and paper — meaning a full ramp-up would barely touch the high-tech dependencies the report flags as most exposed. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 22 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

depend(ent) entry 1 + -ency

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dependency

• ascendancy
• ascendency
• independency
• interdependency
• superintendency
• pendency
• tendency

Kids Definition

dependency

noun

de·​pend·​en·​cy

di-ˈpen-dən-sē

plural dependencies

1

: dependence sense 1

2

: a territory under the authority of a nation but not formally a part of it

Medical Definition

dependency

noun

de·​pen·​den·​cy -dən-sē 

plural dependencies

: dependence