# reliance

/ɹiˈɫaɪəns/ (US) · /ɹɪlˈaɪəns/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/reliance
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. dependence

noun · CEFR B2

the state of needing someone or something to help you or to work correctly.

For teachers: the condition of being dependent on someone or something for support, survival, or functioning.

- The country's reliance on imported oil makes it vulnerable to price changes.
- The company's heavy reliance on a single supplier proved disastrous when the factory overseas was forced to close unexpectedly.

Usage: Usually followed by the preposition 'on' or 'upon'.

### 2. trust

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the act of trusting or having confidence in someone or something.

For teachers: the act of placing trust or confidence in a person, system, or promise.

- You can place total reliance on his word; he never breaks a promise.
- The legal system requires a high degree of public reliance on the impartiality of the judiciary to function effectively.

Usage: Often used with the verbs 'place' or 'put'.

### 3. a source of support

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

a person or thing that you can depend on for help.

For teachers: a person or thing that serves as a ground of trust or a source of support.

- For many years, his older brother was his main reliance in times of trouble.
- In the absence of a formal pension, the small family farm remained their sole reliance for their later years.

Teaching tip: This sense is rare in modern speech; learners will mostly encounter it in 19th-century literature.

## Examples

- The company has a heavy reliance on local suppliers.
- The city is trying to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels by investing in solar and wind energy projects.
- Economists warn that an over-reliance on a single export commodity can leave a developing nation vulnerable to sudden shifts in global market prices.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.