1
: from this place : away
Was that my father that went hence so fast?—
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare2
a
archaic
: henceforth
b
: from this time
four years hence
3
4
: from this source or origin
see also:
Examples of hence in a Sentence
Resource-rich countries don't need to levy taxes, so there is little pressure for government accountability, and hence fewer checks and balances.
—Niall Ferguson, New York Times Book Review, 1 July 2007
Panforte—a cross between a cake and a candy—is a classic Italian Christmas treat. It's a very dense, rich confection loaded with nuts, dried fruit, and spices (hence its name, which means "strong bread").
—Gourmet, December 2002
Common sense told the YA librarian that if ever she hoped to be successful with her clients, she would have to offset the prevailing attitude of most of the staff. Through determination and patience, she soon established herself as confidante, friend, and advisor to large numbers of middle and high school students. Hence, it was not surprising when she was approached one day by a young man and young woman with a request.
—A. J. Anderson, Library Journal, 1 May 1994
He knew he could not win the election—hence his decision to withdraw.
The company lost a great deal of money. Hence, the CEO was asked to resign.
What will life be like a century hence?
Niall Ferguson, New York Times Book Review, 1 July 2007
Panforte—a cross between a cake and a candy—is a classic Italian Christmas treat. It's a very dense, rich confection loaded with nuts, dried fruit, and spices (hence its name, which means "strong bread").
—Gourmet, December 2002
Common sense told the YA librarian that if ever she hoped to be successful with her clients, she would have to offset the prevailing attitude of most of the staff. Through determination and patience, she soon established herself as confidante, friend, and advisor to large numbers of middle and high school students. Hence, it was not surprising when she was approached one day by a young man and young woman with a request.
—A. J. Anderson, Library Journal, 1 May 1994
He knew he could not win the election—hence his decision to withdraw.
The company lost a great deal of money. Hence, the CEO was asked to resign.
What will life be like a century hence?
Recent Examples on the Web
Were birds and squirrels and lizards getting in through her old doors and windows, hence the replacement?
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
South of the Border Founded in 1949 by Alan Schafer as a small beer stand just south of the North Carolina–South Carolina line (hence the name), South of the Border grew into one of the most recognizable roadside attractions in the South.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
Paris has long held the unofficial title of the world’s most romantic city, hence its nickname, the City of Love.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 12 Mar. 2026
In the kitchen, the sliver of surface between the bottom and top cabinets creates a unique opportunity to play even more—hence the ever-popular kitchen tile backsplash.
—Shagun Khare, Martha Stewart, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hence
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Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
South of the Border Founded in 1949 by Alan Schafer as a small beer stand just south of the North Carolina–South Carolina line (hence the name), South of the Border grew into one of the most recognizable roadside attractions in the South.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
Paris has long held the unofficial title of the world’s most romantic city, hence its nickname, the City of Love.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 12 Mar. 2026
In the kitchen, the sliver of surface between the bottom and top cabinets creates a unique opportunity to play even more—hence the ever-popular kitchen tile backsplash.
—Shagun Khare, Martha Stewart, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hence
Cite this Entry
“Hence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hence. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hence
adverb1
: from this place or time
a week hence
2
: consequently, therefore
was a newcomer and hence had no close friends in the city
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