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

By considering the interdependences between human actions and technology, system designers can better identify where vulnerabilities might arise, enabling proactive adjustments and bias reduction. —Dewayne Hart, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

The interdependence between the U.S. and Canada means that if Canada were to become a U.S. state, the dynamics of trade between the two would fundamentally change, as trade would no longer occur between two sovereign nations, with all tariffs and customs eliminated. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024

By supporting aquatic life, regulating local climates and offering scenic beauty, lakes underscore the intricate interdependence between natural systems and human activities. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024

Unlike traditional programs that separate land and sea, this perspective acknowledges the interdependence of marine and terrestrial ecosystems. —Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1