1
: from this place : away
Was that my father that went hence so fast?—
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare2
a
archaic
: henceforth
b
: from this time
four years hence
3
4
: from this source or origin
see also:
Examples of hence in a Sentence
Resource-rich countries don't need to levy taxes, so there is little pressure for government accountability, and hence fewer checks and balances.
—Niall Ferguson, New York Times Book Review, 1 July 2007
Panforte—a cross between a cake and a candy—is a classic Italian Christmas treat. It's a very dense, rich confection loaded with nuts, dried fruit, and spices (hence its name, which means "strong bread").
—Gourmet, December 2002
Common sense told the YA librarian that if ever she hoped to be successful with her clients, she would have to offset the prevailing attitude of most of the staff. Through determination and patience, she soon established herself as confidante, friend, and advisor to large numbers of middle and high school students. Hence, it was not surprising when she was approached one day by a young man and young woman with a request.
—A. J. Anderson, Library Journal, 1 May 1994
He knew he could not win the election—hence his decision to withdraw.
The company lost a great deal of money. Hence, the CEO was asked to resign.
What will life be like a century hence?
Niall Ferguson, New York Times Book Review, 1 July 2007
Panforte—a cross between a cake and a candy—is a classic Italian Christmas treat. It's a very dense, rich confection loaded with nuts, dried fruit, and spices (hence its name, which means "strong bread").
—Gourmet, December 2002
Common sense told the YA librarian that if ever she hoped to be successful with her clients, she would have to offset the prevailing attitude of most of the staff. Through determination and patience, she soon established herself as confidante, friend, and advisor to large numbers of middle and high school students. Hence, it was not surprising when she was approached one day by a young man and young woman with a request.
—A. J. Anderson, Library Journal, 1 May 1994
He knew he could not win the election—hence his decision to withdraw.
The company lost a great deal of money. Hence, the CEO was asked to resign.
What will life be like a century hence?
Recent Examples on the Web
Thus stagflation could not be managed by traditional monetary policy, varying the money supply and hence interest rates — or by fiscal policy, varying government taxing and spending.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2026
After the boom, prices stabilized at that high point or decreased only slightly, hence the lack of triple-digit returns.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2026
Night is a popular time for Arabic people to visit cafes, hence why Turath will be open when Starbucks employees are rolling up their mats for the evening.
—Jenna Thompson
april 1, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026
Poking holes in the cake (hence the name) allows the Jell-O to impart tenderness and flavor throughout the cake.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hence
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Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2026
After the boom, prices stabilized at that high point or decreased only slightly, hence the lack of triple-digit returns.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2026
Night is a popular time for Arabic people to visit cafes, hence why Turath will be open when Starbucks employees are rolling up their mats for the evening.
—Jenna Thompson
april 1, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026
Poking holes in the cake (hence the name) allows the Jell-O to impart tenderness and flavor throughout the cake.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hence
Cite this Entry
“Hence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hence. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hence
adverb1
: from this place or time
a week hence
2
: consequently, therefore
was a newcomer and hence had no close friends in the city
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