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

The hundreds of thousands of AI servers that fill the cavernous halls of data centers from Virginia to Germany are a testament to the deep interdependence of the industry. — John Liu, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026

Managed carefully, a more resilient and diversified interdependence becomes less a vulnerability than a source of mutual restraint and interest in stability. — Gloria Xiong, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Such commercial interdependence is turning a technology challenge for Washington into a diplomatic one. — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 27 July 2026

Capitalism is unconcerned with such complexity and mutual interdependence. — Literary Hub, 23 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for interdependence

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