interdependence

noun

in·​ter·​de·​pen·​dence ˌin-tər-di-ˈpen-dən(t)s 

variants or interdependency

ˌin-tər-di-ˈpen-dən(t)-sē 

plural interdependences or interdependencies

1

: the state of being dependent upon one another : mutual dependence

interdependence of the two nations' economies

… a form of symbiosis, of close mutual interdependence of two species of organisms.

—Marston Bates

… the deep psychological interdependence between ourselves and those we love.

—Judith A. Savage

… understood the interdependence of mental, physical, and spiritual health.

—Donald N. Levine

But plants happen to grow in these little universes we call ecosystems, where they are sustained by complex webs of interdependency with fungi, microbes, animals, and other plants.

—Kenneth Brower

2

: a mutually dependent relationship

Growing global interdependencies further muddy the debate, making it harder to know who "we" are and what "our" national interests really are.

—Peter H. Schuck

There are complex interdependences among these factors …

—Victor H. Benenberg

Examples of interdependence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Set Strong Boundaries Moderate interdependence, like with neighbors or casual friends, breeds comfort without suffocation. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

Before the war, the two countries were locked in a state of asymmetric interdependence, in which China had more leverage but Russia hedged its bets by maintaining trade, financial, and technological ties with Europe. —Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 17 Apr. 2025

Our business model enriches the design process through the interdependence of specialties and markets. —Christopher Marquis, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025

Vance argued the first conceit of globalization — describing the interdependence of the world’s economies and services — was the assumption the U.S. would be able to separate the manufacturing of products from their design process. —Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 18 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for interdependence

• superintendence
• ascendance
• attendance
• dependance
• dependence
• transcendence
• tendance