dependence
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
a situation where you need help or support from someone or something else to succeed or survive.
the state of relying on or being controlled by someone or something else for support or survival.
Simple“The country is trying to reduce its dependence on imported oil by using solar power.”
In context“The region's heavy dependence on a single industry made it particularly vulnerable to the sudden shifts in the global market.”
UsageOften followed by the preposition 'on' or 'upon'.
SynonymsreliancesubservienceAntonymsindependenceself sufficiency - 02 C1 Advanced
a physical or mental need for a drug or a specific substance.
a physiological or psychological habituation to a substance; a state where cessation causes withdrawal symptoms.
Simple“He sought medical help to overcome his dependence on painkillers after the accident.”
In context“Clinical researchers are investigating how genetic factors influence the speed at which a physical dependence on nicotine develops in teenagers.”
UsageCommonly used in medical and psychological contexts to distinguish from the broader social meaning of 'addiction'.
Teacher's tipIn modern medical English, 'dependence' is often preferred over 'addiction' because it sounds more objective and less judgmental.
Usage dependence on · reduce dependence
“Across the pond, United Launch Alliance sought to end its dependence on Russian engines for the Atlas V rocket by migrating to the new Vulcan rocket.”
“She added: “Both the Iran war and this summer’s extreme weather have shown once again why we’re better off cutting our dependence on fossil fuels.”
From Middle French dépendance. Morphologically depend + -ence.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.