Your dependenceon something or someone is your need for them in order to succeed or be able to survive.
...the city's traditional dependence on tourism. [+ on]
Synonyms: reliance, trust, hope, confidence More Synonyms of dependence
2. uncountable noun [usually noun NOUN]
If you talk about drug dependence or alcohol dependence, you are referring to a situation where someone is addicted to drugs or is an alcoholic.
Synonyms: overreliance, need, addiction, reliance More Synonyms of dependence
3. uncountable noun
You talk about the dependence of one thing on another when the first thing will be affected or determined by the second.
...the dependence of circulation on production.
More Synonyms of dependence
dependence in British English
or sometimes US dependance (dɪˈpɛndəns)
noun
1.
the state or fact of being dependent, esp for support or help
2.
reliance; trust; confidence
3. rare
an object or person relied upon
dependence in American English
(diˈpɛndəns; dɪˈpɛndəns)
noun
1.
the condition or fact of being dependent
; specif.,
a.
a being contingent upon or influenced, controlled, or determined by something else
b.
reliance (on another) for support or aid
c.
subordination
2.
reliance; trust
3.
dependency (sense 4)
Also spelled deˈpendance
Word origin
ME dependaunce < OFr dependance or ML dependentia < L dependens: see dependent
Examples of 'dependence' in a sentence
dependence
They would bring costs down and significantly reduce their dependence on oil.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
You could be in the early stages of alcohol dependence.
The Sun (2007)
The move is designed to reduce their dependence on government money.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
These are usually in drug dependence units or psychiatric departments.
Trickett, Shirley Coming Off Tranquillizers and Sleeping Pills (1991)
How do we lose our dependence upon fossil fuels?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
But at the same time it exposes the country to growing dependence on imports.
The Sun (2013)
Such factors as air pollution and dependence on foreign oil were merely lurking in the wings.
Goddard, Stephen B. Getting There: The Epic Struggle between Road and Rail in the American Century (1994)
One of my closest friends has an unhealthy dependence on alcohol.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He recorded a verdict of death from dependence on drugs.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
More will follow as the world tries to reduce its dependence on oil for power.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
His weekly diary shows that he rather worryingly has some evidence of physical dependence on alcohol.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Its dependence on oil exports leaves it no choice.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
GPs will first assess adults for alcohol dependence and tell regular boozers to cut down.
The Sun (2014)
You may need to talk sensitivity with them to discover the emotional reasons for their dependence on a drug.
Aiken, Nick Working with Teenagers (1994)
We will have to build quite a few more windmills to make much of a dent in our dependence on fossil fuels.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Those in direct ministry roles need to understand their dependence on the support roles and show an understanding and appreciation for those individuals.
Christianity Today (2000)
This is a race worth running, as countries seek to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
New discoveries promise to cut American dependence on gas imports significantly for decades to come.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He played on her dependence, her trust.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The companies are keen to bring watch manufacturing in-house to reduce dependence on suppliers.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It is keen to reduce dependence on importing 99.9 per cent of its oil and gas.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Better applied to conventional farms, it would reduce considerably their dependence on chemical and poisonous inputs.
Lashford, Stephanie The Residue Report - an action plan for safer food (1988)
This will avoid landfill and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels - exactly the sort of innovation we need to encourage.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages
dependence
British English: dependence NOUN
Your dependence on something or someone is your need for them in order to succeed or be able to survive.
...the city's traditional dependence on tourism.
American English: dependence
Brazilian Portuguese: dependência
Chinese: 依靠
European Spanish: dependencia
French: dépendance
German: Abhängigkeit
Italian: dipendenza
Japanese: 依存
Korean: 의존
European Portuguese: dependência
Latin American Spanish: dependencia
Chinese translation of 'dependence'
dependence
(dɪˈpɛndəns)
n(u)
依赖(賴) (yīlài)
1 (noun)
Definition
reliance or trust
the city's traditional dependence on tourism
Synonyms
reliance
If you respond immediately, you will guarantee people's reliance on you.
trust
There's a feeling of warmth and trust here.
hope
Kevin hasn't given up hope of being fit.
confidence
I have every confidence in you.
belief
a belief in personal liberty
faith
She had placed a great deal of faith in him.
expectation
Sometimes people have unreasonable expectations of the medical profession.
assurance
He led the orchestra with assurance.
2 (noun)
Some doctors regard drug dependence as a psychological disorder.
Synonyms
overreliance
need
addiction
She helped him fight his drug addiction.
reliance
the country's increasing reliance on foreign aid
attachment
3 (noun)
the total dependence of her infirm relative
Synonyms
helplessness
I remember my feelings of helplessness.
weakness
People are always taking advantage of his weakness.