To be dependenton something or someone means to need them in order to succeed or be able to survive.
The local economy is overwhelmingly dependent on oil and gas extraction. [+ on/upon]
Up to two million people there are dependent on food aid.
Britain became increasingly dependent upon American technology.
In his own way, he was dependent on her.
Just 26 per cent of households are married couples with dependent children.
2. adjective
If one thing is dependenton another, the first thing will be affected or determined by the second.
How we cope with new roles is largely dependent on previous experience.
The treatment of infertility is largely dependent on the ability of couples to pay. [+ on/upon]
3. See also dependant
More Synonyms of dependent
dependent in British English
or sometimes US dependant (dɪˈpɛndənt)
adjective
1.
depending on a person or thing for aid, support, life, etc
2. (postpositive; foll by on or upon)
influenced or conditioned (by); contingent (on)
3.
subordinate; subject
a dependent prince
4. obsolete
hanging down
5. mathematics
a.
(of a variable) having a value depending on that assumed by a related independent variable
b.
(of a linear equation) having every solution as a solution of one or more given linear equations
noun
6. grammar
an element in a phrase or clause that is not the governor
7. a variant spelling (esp US) of dependant
▶ USAGE Avoid confusion with dependant
Derived forms
dependently (deˈpendently)
adverb
dependent in American English
(diˈpɛndənt; dɪˈpɛndənt)
adjective
1.
hanging down
2.
influenced, controlled, or determined by something else; contingent
3.
relying (on another) for support or aid
4.
subordinate
5.
addicted
noun
6.
a person who depends on someone else for existence, support, etc.
7. Obsolete
a subordinate part
Also, esp. for n., deˈpendant
Derived forms
dependently (deˈpendently)
adverb
Word origin
ME < OFr dependant < L dependens, prp. of dependere: see depend
dependent in Insurance
(dɪpɛndənt)
Word forms: (regular plural) dependents
noun
(Insurance: Life insurance)
A dependent is a person, especially a child or spouse, who depends on you for food, clothes, and money.
If a federal employee dies from a work-related injury, a cash compensation is paidto the worker's surviving dependents.
The policy covers the employees and their spouses and dependents for 18 months after their employment is terminated.
A dependent is a person, especially a child or spouse, who depends on you for food, clothes,and money.
Examples of 'dependent' in a sentence
dependent
We are totally dependent upon him.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But was I really one of those people dependent on alcohol?
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
He said:'Councils get dependent on the cash.
The Sun (2016)
The economy is too dependent on oil and gas.
The Sun (2012)
Successful organic gardening is largely dependent on two things.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The result you get is dependent upon your method.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The parent company should thus become increasingly dependent on them.
Peter F. Drucker MANAGING IN TURBULENT TIMES (1980)
To ensure high yields and average quality the majority of growers are heavily dependent on chemicals.
Lashford, Stephanie The Residue Report - an action plan for safer food (1988)
The main disadvantage is that people may become dependent on them.
Wilkinson, Helena Beyond Chaotic Eating (1993)
We are all totally dependent on one another.
Michael Boulter EXTINCTION: Evolution and the End of Man (2002)
You are less dependent on love and this makes relationships happier and more relaxed.
The Sun (2012)
How do you find out whether a person is field dependent or field independent?
Siann, Gerda & Ugwuegbu, Denis C. E. Educational Psychology in a Changing World (1988)
The ratio of dependent clauses to sentences will vary from writer to writer.
Marius, Richard A Short Guide to Writing About History (1995)
Your home can be excluded from the calculation if your spouse or another dependent lives in it.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Today four million people are dependent entirely on aid.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The film is entirely dependent on pages of dialogue and long scenes filled with incessantly talking heads.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Most sufferers are totally dependent on others.
The Sun (2013)
The economy is totally dependent on enterprise.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Libya is almost entirely dependent on oil and gas for its foreign exchange earnings.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It would leave pay largely dependent on grade and length of service rather than performance.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Looking after our parents is sad because we see them getting more dependent.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
That means that we are heavily dependent upon alarm clocks.
Christianity Today (2000)
That makes people more dependent on their parents.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The move will leave the country more dependent on imported gas and could drive up the cost for consumers.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Her teacher tests how much she can remember: what are independent and dependent variables?
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Do we really want to be overwhelmingly dependent upon a single supplier for our current affairs, documentaries, arts and regional news programmes?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
All related terms of 'dependent'
co-dependent
A co-dependent person is in an unsatisfactory relationship with someone who is ill or an addict , but does not want the relationship to end.
dependent clause
a clause that cannot function syntactically as a complete sentence by itself but has a nominal , adjectival, or adverbial function within a larger sentence; subordinate clause ( Ex .: She will visit us if she can. )
dependent variable
a variable in a mathematical equation or statement whose value depends on that taken on by the independent variable
insulin-dependent
of or relating to the type of diabetes that mainly affects young people
chemically dependent
addicted to a drug or drugs
response variable
a variable in a mathematical equation or statement whose value depends on that taken on by the independent variable
diabetes
Diabetes is a medical condition in which someone has too much sugar in their blood .
Chinese translation of 'dependent'
dependent
(dɪˈpɛndənt)
adj
to be dependent on sb/sth[person, decision]依赖(賴)某人/某物 (yīlài mǒurén/mǒuwù)