reliance

noun

re·​li·​ance ri-ˈlī-ən(t)s 

1

: the act of relying : the state of being reliant

2

: something or someone relied on

Synonyms

• anchor
• buttress
• dependence
• dependance
• mainstay
• pillar
• standby

Examples of reliance in a Sentence

he's been the family's foremost reliance in times of trouble many times

a baby's reliance on her parents

Recent Examples on the Web

Elon Musk’s car company has focused on using cameras and artificial intelligence to steer the vehicle, without heavy reliance on HD maps. —Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024

Buttigieg asked after the two clashed over reliance on Chinese components for electric vehicles. —Juliann Ventura, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024

Indeed, Congress had already exerted its authority in the Electoral Count Act in 1887, which institutionalized standards to reduce the extent of reliance on democratic norms. —Jenna Bednar, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024

However, given the state's heavy reliance on the tourism and hospitality industries, the economy there has been slower to recover from the pandemic than others, and attacks about inflation against Vice President Kamala Harris have been particularly potent there. —Abc News, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing reliance

• self-reliance

Kids Definition

reliance

noun

re·​li·​ance ri-ˈlī-ən(t)s 

1

: the act of relying

2

: the condition or attitude of one who relies : dependence

3

: something or someone relied on

Legal Definition

reliance

noun

re·​li·​ance ri-ˈlī-əns 

1

: the act of relying

reliance on a promise

2

: reliance interest at interest 1