dependency

noun

de·​pen·​den·​cy di-ˈpen-dən(t)-sē 

plural dependencies

1

: dependence sense 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

Synonyms

• dependence
• dependance
• reliance

Examples of dependency in a Sentence

the country's dependency on foreign oil

a dependency on foreign oil

Recent Examples on the Web

Quantifying vulnerabilities within the supply chain by evaluating location risks, product dependencies, transportation lanes, and financial stability. —Ashok Viswanathan, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025

Some of the tech elites claimed that America's dependency on foreign workers is due to America's failing education system. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025

Trifecta has a minimal number of dependencies and clocks in at 3 megabytes of code, a fraction of the size of competing solutions. —IEEE Spectrum, 26 Dec. 2024

Overall, Washington’s probe looks to assess the U.S. dependency on legacy Chinese chips in areas spanning everything from telecommunications to the electrical grid. —Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 23 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

dependency

noun

de·​pend·​en·​cy

di-ˈpen-dən-sē

plural dependencies

1

: dependence sense 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 

plural dependencies

: dependence