dependence
noun
de·pen·dence
di-ˈpen-dən(t)s 
variants
or less commonly dependance
1
: the quality or state of being dependent
especially
: the quality or state of being influenced or determined by or subject to another
3
: one that is relied on
4
a
: drug addiction
developed a dependence on painkillers
Examples of dependence in a Sentence
The company was hurt by its dependence on government loans.
Our dependence upon foreign oil makes our economy vulnerable.
a harmful dependence on foreign oil
Recent Examples on the Web
For Big Tech companies with the money and talent to do so, developing in-house chips helps reduce dependence on outside designers such as Nvidia and Intel while also allowing firms to tailor their hardware specifically to their own AI models, boosting performance and saving on energy costs.
—
Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2024
The massive scale of production has driven down costs and ignited price wars for green technologies, a boon for consumers and efforts to reduce global dependence on fossil fuels.
—Fatima Hussein and Ken Moritsugu, Quartz, 6 Apr. 2024
Yet, other writers also remind us of some not-so-welcome, all-time national highs: drug overdoses, homelessness, food stamp dependence, inflation, and national debt.
—Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2024
There is not yet an indication that the Nashville conglomerate of labels and executives has drastically changed its approach, particularly given its lasting dependence on terrestrial radio.
—Emily Cochrane, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2024
Weak demand overall during the Christmas season, coupled with a dependence on department stores for sales, may have helped management to make the decision to have some of the Estée Lauder brands be available on the Amazon platform.
—Walter Loeb, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Like millions of other Americans, his dependence on them would spiral into addiction.
—Hannah Rappleye, NBC News, 2 Mar. 2024
With its focus on new products and marketing, Estée Lauder has been able to reduce its dependence on the Chinese and travel markets, the Bank of America analysts said.
—Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 29 Mar. 2024
Since substance abuse from alcoholism to opioid dependence can lead straight into to mental illness, this may help with mental illness and chemical dependence.
—Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2024
Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2024
The massive scale of production has driven down costs and ignited price wars for green technologies, a boon for consumers and efforts to reduce global dependence on fossil fuels.
—Fatima Hussein and Ken Moritsugu, Quartz, 6 Apr. 2024
Yet, other writers also remind us of some not-so-welcome, all-time national highs: drug overdoses, homelessness, food stamp dependence, inflation, and national debt.
—Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2024
There is not yet an indication that the Nashville conglomerate of labels and executives has drastically changed its approach, particularly given its lasting dependence on terrestrial radio.
—Emily Cochrane, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2024
Weak demand overall during the Christmas season, coupled with a dependence on department stores for sales, may have helped management to make the decision to have some of the Estée Lauder brands be available on the Amazon platform.
—Walter Loeb, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Like millions of other Americans, his dependence on them would spiral into addiction.
—Hannah Rappleye, NBC News, 2 Mar. 2024
With its focus on new products and marketing, Estée Lauder has been able to reduce its dependence on the Chinese and travel markets, the Bank of America analysts said.
—Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 29 Mar. 2024
Since substance abuse from alcoholism to opioid dependence can lead straight into to mental illness, this may help with mental illness and chemical dependence.
—Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dependence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near dependence
Cite this Entry
“Dependence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dependence. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
dependence
noun
de·pen·dence
di-ˈpen-dən(t)s
1
: the quality or state of being dependent upon or unduly subject to the influence of another
2
a
: drug addiction
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