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
The most significant of these include the company’s high dependence on a few customers, a large inventory of an older generation of AI chips for rent, and high cash burn rate and rising debt.
—
Peter Cohan, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Posting Warnings to People Applying for Visas US Bid for Greenland Like Russia's Annexation of Crimea: Ex-Diplomat
The administration has introduced sanctions targeting Venezuelan oil exports and seeks to reduce the Caribbean's dependence on them.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
The filing highlights the company's dependence on securing additional financing to support its operations and development plans.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 25 Mar. 2025
By reducing dependence on real-time meetings, organizations create more equitable participation and deeper dialogue.
—Keith Ferrazzi, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dependence
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Peter Cohan, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Posting Warnings to People Applying for Visas US Bid for Greenland Like Russia's Annexation of Crimea: Ex-Diplomat
The administration has introduced sanctions targeting Venezuelan oil exports and seeks to reduce the Caribbean's dependence on them.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
The filing highlights the company's dependence on securing additional financing to support its operations and development plans.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 25 Mar. 2025
By reducing dependence on real-time meetings, organizations create more equitable participation and deeper dialogue.
—Keith Ferrazzi, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dependence
Cite this Entry
“Dependence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dependence. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
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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