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 from hence
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
It was inspired by similar tops that Jane Birkin wore in the ‘60s, hence the vintage feel.
—Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 12 Jan. 2026
Some of these drops, especially the chlorhexidine, can cause intense pain due to toxic effects on the cornea, adding to the agony the parasite is already causing — hence a need for new treatments, Lorenzo-Morales added.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
These other kinds percolate through the bedrock to shallower depths and hence are cooler.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Gamers have turned to walkthroughs and hints for years, but usually after banging their own heads against difficult challenges, and hence learning something in the process.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hence
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Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 12 Jan. 2026
Some of these drops, especially the chlorhexidine, can cause intense pain due to toxic effects on the cornea, adding to the agony the parasite is already causing — hence a need for new treatments, Lorenzo-Morales added.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
These other kinds percolate through the bedrock to shallower depths and hence are cooler.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Gamers have turned to walkthroughs and hints for years, but usually after banging their own heads against difficult challenges, and hence learning something in the process.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 8 Jan. 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 14 Jan. 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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