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

• dependence
• dependance
• reliance

Examples of dependency in a Sentence

the country's dependency on foreign oil

a dependency on foreign oil

Recent Examples on the Web

For a generation of students who’ve grown up tethered to devices, and the parents who often modeled that dependency, this change won’t be easy. —Elan Gepner-Dales, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025

To meet these rising demand for batteries, researchers must achieve breakthroughs in performance, safety, and cost efficiency to reduce the dependency on critical minerals. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025

This approach should deepen customer dependency on Alibaba’s ecosystem while aiding in the generation of recurring revenues. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

And, short of suicides, there is other mounting evidence of people developing harmful chatbot dependencies. —Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025

Word History

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