dependency

noun

de·​pen·​den·​cy di-ˈpen-dən(t)-sē How to pronounce dependency (audio)
plural dependencies
1
2
: something that is dependent on something else
especially : a territorial unit under the jurisdiction of a nation but not formally annexed by it
3
: a building (such as a stable) that is an adjunct to a main dwelling

Examples of dependency in a Sentence

the country's dependency on foreign oil a dependency on foreign oil
Recent Examples on the Web Governments can convey their intent to reduce foreign economic dependencies, but their means are limited. Jami Miscik, Foreign Affairs, 11 Mar. 2024 Business leaders should diversify technological investments, including a dedicated fixed wireless circuit, a fiber connection, a 5G hotspot, or other alternatives to mitigate risks and avoid dependency on a single solution. Ryan Adams, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024 Feeding is discouraged in some areas to prevent dependency. Maeghan Dolph, Fox News, 30 Jan. 2024 By facilitating unfettered access to financial services and reducing the dependency on intermediaries, Ethereum is driving the momentum toward a new epoch of financial freedom. Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2024 The lonesome detective—with a stern constitution, hair-trigger nonsense detector, and endearing alcohol dependency—is a reliably compelling protagonist, capable of crossing legal lines and meting out justice. Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 12 Jan. 2024 The most effective way to fix Europe’s dependency problem is for the U.S. to stop treating the Europeans as helpless little children incapable of fending for themselves. Daniel R. Depetris, National Review, 29 Feb. 2024 During this discovery process, organizations should conduct a risk assessment, inventory IT assets, map dependencies, record current usage and understand security requirements to build an awareness of what is involved in cloud migration. Ryan Mallory, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Recent studies have hinted that the drug might slightly reduce opioid dependency rates, although this, too, is disputed. Jesse Greenspan, Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dependency.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dependency was in 1594

Dictionary Entries Near dependency

Cite this Entry

“Dependency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dependency. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

dependency

noun
de·​pend·​en·​cy
di-ˈpen-dən-sē
plural dependencies
1
2
: a territory under the authority of a nation but not formally a part of it

Medical Definition

dependency

noun
de·​pen·​den·​cy -dən-sē How to pronounce dependency (audio)
plural dependencies

More from Merriam-Webster on dependency

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