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
Ginger Rabbit Jazz Lounge In Short North, BJ Lieberman and Bronwyn Haines’s Ginger Rabbit Jazz Lounge is a swanky, subterranean cocktail bar inspired by the Midwest’s deep connection to jazz and the Prohibition era—hence, the strong showing of gin cocktails on the menu.
—Katie Chang, AFAR Media, 31 Oct. 2025
This activity makes the comet brighter and hence more noticeable, and at perihelion this outgassing, in theory, is at its most active.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 29 Oct. 2025
At the outset of the series, Goldman explains how he, like many others, had long been convinced of Michael Skakel’s guilt in Moxley’s brutal slaying (hence the title of the podcast).
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2025
Anderson is considered to be a modern day Stanley Kubrick, hence a swing well afforded.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hence
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Katie Chang, AFAR Media, 31 Oct. 2025
This activity makes the comet brighter and hence more noticeable, and at perihelion this outgassing, in theory, is at its most active.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 29 Oct. 2025
At the outset of the series, Goldman explains how he, like many others, had long been convinced of Michael Skakel’s guilt in Moxley’s brutal slaying (hence the title of the podcast).
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2025
Anderson is considered to be a modern day Stanley Kubrick, hence a swing well afforded.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 28 Oct. 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 6 Nov. 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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