dependency

noun

de·​pen·​den·​cy di-ˈpen-dən(t)-sē How to pronounce dependency (audio)
plural dependencies
1
2
: something that is dependent on something else
especially : a territorial unit under the jurisdiction of a nation but not formally annexed by it
3
: a building (such as a stable) that is an adjunct to a main dwelling

Examples of dependency in a Sentence

the country's dependency on foreign oil a dependency on foreign oil
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The original promise of the Israeli state was to end, once and for all, the dependency and the powerlessness of an exilic people who had suffered antisemitic persecution for centuries—a dark history that reached its nadir in the Nazi death camps. David Remnick, New Yorker, 21 June 2025 Still, the country has a long way to go to cut its dependency on China in some key areas, Backeberg told CNBC. Sam Meredith,dylan Butts, CNBC, 20 June 2025 The charges included one count of malice murder and one count of felony murder; three counts of cruelty to children in the first degree; three counts of false imprisonment; three counts of contributing to the dependency of a minor; and three counts of kidnapping. Rachel Raposas, People.com, 19 June 2025 Consumers will soon be freed from their dependency on a smartphone and instead will be able to seamlessly interact with an array of secondary compute devices and displays throughout the environment to visualize data and transact. Mark Francis, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for dependency

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dependency was in 1594

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Cite this Entry

“Dependency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dependency. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

dependency

noun
de·​pend·​en·​cy
di-ˈpen-dən-sē
plural dependencies
1
2
: a territory under the authority of a nation but not formally a part of it

Medical Definition

dependency

noun
de·​pen·​den·​cy -dən-sē How to pronounce dependency (audio)
plural dependencies

More from Merriam-Webster on dependency

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