dependence

UK: /dɪˈpɛndəns/ US: /dɪˈpɛndəns/ ,(di pen′dəns)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

de•pend•ence /dɪˈpɛndəns/   n. [uncountable]

1. the state of relying on someone or something for aid or support:
   the dependence on the West for luxury items.
2. reliance;
   trust:
   dependence on religion.
3. the state of being a condition for something to follow:
   the dependence of an effect upon a cause.
4. Psychiatry the state of being psychologically or physiologically dependent on a drug:
   the frightening dependence on drugs.

Sometimes, deˈpend•ance. See -pend-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

de•pend•ence  (di pen′dəns), n. 

1. the state of relying on or needing someone or something for aid, support, or the like.
2. reliance;
   confidence;
   trust:
   Her complete reliability earned her our dependence.
3. an object of reliance or trust.
4. the state of being conditional or contingent on something, as through a natural or logical sequence:
   the dependence of an effect upon a cause.
5. Psychiatry the state of being psychologically or physiologically dependent on a drug after a prolonged period of use.
6. subordination or subjection:
   the dependence of Martinique upon France.

Also, de•pend′ance. 

• Old French dependance, equivalent. to depend(re) (see depend) + -ance -ence
• late Middle English dependaunce 1400–50

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

dependence, dependance / dɪˈpɛndəns/ noun

1. the state or fact of being dependent, esp for support or help
2. reliance; trust; confidence