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
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
Ulta made a 52-week high at $570 in October with confirming relative strength in the high 60’s but the buyers were turned away from a new all-time high, hence the (temporary) triple top.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 28 Nov. 2025
Around 440 light-years from the solar system, about six or seven stars are visible to the naked eye, hence its nickname, the ‘Seven Sisters’.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 27 Nov. 2025
With a Dickensian sweep and a vast cast of characters, Upadhyay created an ancient world saturated with the spirit of our time and shaped by political ambition and dark vision; hence the unavoidable violence of destruction.
—Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 26 Nov. 2025
There is an obvious affinity for local honey — hence the name — which appears as a main ingredient in several beverages and plates.
—Nora Heston Tarte, Mercury News, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hence
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Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 28 Nov. 2025
Around 440 light-years from the solar system, about six or seven stars are visible to the naked eye, hence its nickname, the ‘Seven Sisters’.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 27 Nov. 2025
With a Dickensian sweep and a vast cast of characters, Upadhyay created an ancient world saturated with the spirit of our time and shaped by political ambition and dark vision; hence the unavoidable violence of destruction.
—Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 26 Nov. 2025
There is an obvious affinity for local honey — hence the name — which appears as a main ingredient in several beverages and plates.
—Nora Heston Tarte, Mercury News, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hence
Cite this Entry
“Hence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hence. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025.
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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