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

• anchor
• dependance
• backbone
• dependence
• pillar
• crutch

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

The White House has defended the unprecedented move, at least in part, by warning about the very real national security threat posed by our reliance on the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, which produces the lion’s share of the planet’s chipmaking. —Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025

This would make transportation more climate-friendly and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025

This breakthrough shows how renewable energy can power long-endurance missions while cutting costs and reducing reliance on fuel. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025

One in three say over-reliance on AI without developer accountability was their top worry, while one in five were perturbed that junior engineers may see their development stunted. —John Kell, Fortune, 3 Sep. 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