interdependence

noun

in·​ter·​de·​pen·​dence ˌin-tər-di-ˈpen-dən(t)s 

variants or interdependency

ˌin-tər-di-ˈpen-dən(t)-sē 

plural interdependences or interdependencies

1

: the state of being dependent upon one another : mutual dependence

interdependence of the two nations' economies

… a form of symbiosis, of close mutual interdependence of two species of organisms.

—Marston Bates

… the deep psychological interdependence between ourselves and those we love.

—Judith A. Savage

… understood the interdependence of mental, physical, and spiritual health.

—Donald N. Levine

But plants happen to grow in these little universes we call ecosystems, where they are sustained by complex webs of interdependency with fungi, microbes, animals, and other plants.

—Kenneth Brower

2

: a mutually dependent relationship

Growing global interdependencies further muddy the debate, making it harder to know who "we" are and what "our" national interests really are.

—Peter H. Schuck

There are complex interdependences among these factors …

—Victor H. Benenberg

Examples of interdependence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Mothering Izzy has shown me the value of interdependence. —Julie Kim, The Atlantic, 9 July 2025

There’s also a significant interdependence between the U.S. and its foreign creditors, especially China and Japan, so if global investors begin to truly question America’s fiscal health, the ripple effects could extend beyond the bond markets. —Leslie Picker, CNBC, 7 July 2025

Tens of thousands of international organizations emerged, and more than 250,000 treaties were created to help manage this unprecedented level of interdependence. —Oona A. Hathaway, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025

From wildfires in one region to dust storms in another, the visible signs of global interdependence are unmistakable from space. —Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for interdependence

• superintendence
• ascendance
• attendance
• dependance
• dependence
• transcendence
• tendance