reliance

noun

re·​li·​ance ri-ˈlī-ən(t)s 

1

: the act of relying : the state of being reliant

2

: something or someone relied on

Synonyms of reliance

• anchor
• backbone
• dependence
• pillar

Examples of reliance in a Sentence

he's been the family's foremost reliance in times of trouble many times

a baby's reliance on her parents

Recent Examples on the Web

As drilling technologies advance and hybrid energy systems emerge, geothermal power is increasingly seen not as a replacement for renewables like solar and wind, but as a stabilizing force that can work alongside them, reducing reliance on coal, oil, and gas. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 18 Dec. 2025

Barkley also expressed angst over the series' reliance on prize money as a means to compel players to prioritize regular-season games. —Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 17 Dec. 2025

In the case of chips, Amazon has been producing its own, known as Trainium, for some time in order to reduce reliance on Nvidia. —Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 17 Dec. 2025

If one sets aside the faulty assumption that nuclear deterrence will hold, then increasing Europe’s reliance on nuclear weapons—or even just maintaining it—becomes an untenable proposition. —Siegfried Hecker, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing reliance

• self-reliance

Rhymes for reliance

• appliance
• compliance
• defiance
• geoscience
• neuroscience
• noncompliance
• pseudoscience
• science

Kids Definition

reliance

noun

re·​li·​ance ri-ˈlī-ən(t)s 

1

: the act of relying

2

: the condition or attitude of one who relies : dependence

3

: something or someone relied on

Legal Definition

reliance

noun

re·​li·​ance ri-ˈlī-əns 

1

: the act of relying

reliance on a promise

2

: reliance interest at interest 1