Word family noun dependant dependence ≠ independence dependency adjective dependable dependent ≠ independent verb depend adverb dependably independently
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishdependencede‧pen‧dence /dɪˈpendəns/ ●●○ (also dependency) noun [uncountable] 1 NEEDDEPEND ON/RELY ONwhen you depend on the help and support of someone or something else in order to exist or be successful OPP independencedependence on/upon our dependence on oil as a source of energy the financial dependency of some women on men2 → drug/alcohol dependence3 technical when one thing is strongly affected by another thingdependence of the mutual dependence of profit and growthExamples from the Corpus
dependence• Dependence on alcohol can have a serious effect on your relationships and career.• Dependence Tolerance and withdrawal are the classic signs of physical dependence on a drug.• The clinic treats people affected by drug dependence.• There is a lot of leadership that comes out of fear, dependence, and guilt.• Can energy efficiency and a greater dependence on natural gas cut carbon emissions sufficiently on their own?• Their mutual dependence was destroying Luke as much as her.• The meal, like a ritual communion, had confirmed the curious, unspoken, mutual dependence which bound them.• Other topics on which findings are ambiguous are the effects on leisure activity, crime, and degree of dependence on parents.dependence on/upon• Non-readers show a greater dependence on television for political information.• Thus, humans' heavy dependence on present sources of electric power has many undesirable aspects.• For its part, the royal government was fully conscious of its dependence upon the pomeshchiks.• We need to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.• Physiological dependence on benzodiazepines can occur and is accompanied by a withdrawal syndrome.• The therapist regarded this behaviour as resulting from Janet's dependence on her and fear of losing her support.• Nature's services: societal dependence on natural ecosystems.• This dependence on the state was well appreciated by Reith. 