independence

noun

in·​de·​pen·​dence ˌin-də-ˈpen-dən(t)s How to pronounce independence (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being independent
2
archaic : competence sense 2

Examples of independence in a Sentence

She asserted her independence from her parents by getting her own apartment. He has shown a fierce independence of spirit. A month after independence, elections were held.
Recent Examples on the Web The court has effectively been asked to judge its own fate by petitioners who claim a government vote in July was a power grab at the expense of judicial independence. Shira Rubin, Washington Post, 12 Sep. 2023 The film focuses on Patwardhan’s parents and close family members and juxtaposes Mahatma Gandhi and the history of India’s independence movement with contemporary times. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Sep. 2023 Each received a shawl made of khadi, a handspun fabric that was promoted by Gandhi during India’s independence movement against the British. Krutika Pathi and Adam Schreck, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Sep. 2023 Morocco was a French and Spanish protectorate from 1912 until its independence in 1956, and national leaders from both countries were among those to offer solidarity and help in the wake of the deadly earthquake that struck overnight. By joanna Sugden, WSJ, 9 Sep. 2023 If this media subculture has had to answer for its independence recently, it’s not had cause to question the vitality, or the resilience, of its core audience. Sara Youngblood Gregory, The New Republic, 7 Sep. 2023 Shortly after independence, Ahmedabad’s textile magnates and their allies in government hired a group of renowned architects, including Le Corbusier and Louis Kahn, to construct offices, museums, and university campuses in the city. Daniel Brook, The New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2023 The elder Bongo came into power in 1967, seven years after the country’s independence from France. Jake Kwon, CNN, 30 Aug. 2023 Every piece of rock that emerged from the mine for almost two decades was purchased by the Manhattan Project and its successors in the Atomic Energy Commission, until the mine was closed by the Belgian authorities on the eve of Congolese independence in 1960. Roger Peet, The New Republic, 30 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'independence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1640, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of independence was in 1640

Dictionary Entries Near independence

independable

independence

Independence

Cite this Entry

“Independence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/independence. Accessed 23 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

independence

noun
in·​de·​pen·​dence ˌin-də-ˈpen-dən(t)s How to pronounce independence (audio)
: the quality or state of being independent : freedom from outside control or support

Geographical Definition

Independence

geographical name

In·​de·​pen·​dence ˌin-də-ˈpen-dən(t)s How to pronounce Independence (audio)
city in western Missouri east of Kansas City population 116,830

More from Merriam-Webster on independence

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