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

Someone who is not concerned about getting re-elected with a dependency on funding from the numerous public employee unions up and down this state can make some changes, even incrementally. —John Moorlach, Oc Register, 5 Apr. 2026

The new framework removes these dependencies by learning from non-visual sensor data. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Apr. 2026

Marijuana dependency linked to lung cancer in alarming new study findings. —FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026

This is because of the dependency ratio, which is how many young people in the workforce are supporting both people that are too young to work, and also people that are too old to work. —IEEE Spectrum, 2 Apr. 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