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
• buttress
• dependence
• dependance
• mainstay
• pillar
• standby

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

Others are more economically distressed, resulting in a greater reliance on Medicaid and income support benefits. —Neil Irwin, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024

Dolby continues to face risks related to macroeconomic conditions, competition, and reliance on key partnerships. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 19 Nov. 2024

Israel is becoming increasingly prone to rejecting U.S. advice and seeks to reduce its reliance on U.S. military aid. —Carrie A. Lee, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2024

China also seeks to reduce its reliance on foreign imports, a concern borne out after the election as the next U.S. president this week of Donald Trump, who has been vocal about increasing trade tariffs and decoupling supply chains from the world’s second-largest economy. —Reuters, NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing reliance

• self-reliance

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