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
That will put pressure on the bottom lines of non-Chinese semiconductor manufacturers; U.S. dependence on Chinese legacy chip manufacturing will increase if non-Chinese competitors go out of business.
—
Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune Asia, 17 Dec. 2024
Congressman John Moolenaar, Chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, recently wrote a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressing concerns over the complete dependence of the U.S. on China for displays.
—Willy Shih, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moldova began making a concerted push to reduce its dependence on Moscow and diversify its energy sources.
—Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
And Xi has set China on a path to reduce its technological dependence on the U.S. by producing powerful chips of its own.
—Billy Perrigo, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dependence 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune Asia, 17 Dec. 2024
Congressman John Moolenaar, Chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, recently wrote a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressing concerns over the complete dependence of the U.S. on China for displays.
—Willy Shih, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moldova began making a concerted push to reduce its dependence on Moscow and diversify its energy sources.
—Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
And Xi has set China on a path to reduce its technological dependence on the U.S. by producing powerful chips of its own.
—Billy Perrigo, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dependence
Dictionary Entries Near dependence
Cite this Entry
“Dependence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dependence. Accessed 21 Dec. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share