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

Birmingham is able to solve critical challenges and lead the nation and world in accessible precision medicine, accelerated drug discovery and commercialization, and improved health outcomes—all while securing our domestic supply chain and reducing reliance on foreign adversaries. —Randall Woodfin, Fortune, 3 July 2024

As Zelensky repeats his appeals for more long-range weapons, these developments have again highlighted Ukraine’s reliance on ammunition and weapons from the United States and other allies. —Alex Stambaugh, CNN, 30 June 2024

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. —Sacramento Bee, 27 June 2024

Elemental started slow but became a sleeper success, suggesting that a reliance on old glories might actually be foolish. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 25 June 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