Origin: Latin suffix -ence
Dependence has 3 different meanings across 1 category:
the state of relying on or being controlled by someone or something else
"The country's heavy dependence on imported oil left its economy vulnerable to global price fluctuations."
being abnormally tolerant to and dependent on something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming (especially alcohol or narcotic drugs)
"After years of heavy drinking, his severe dependence made it impossible for him to function without a daily dose of alcohol."
The state of being dependent, of relying upon another.
"The child's emotional dependence on her mother was evident whenever she became frightened."
In plain English: Dependence is when you need someone else to help you because you can't do something on your own.
"The child felt a strong dependence on his mother for comfort and support during the move."
Usage: Use dependence to describe a situation where someone or something relies on an external source, such as financial aid or emotional support. It is often paired with prepositions like "on," "upon," or "for" when indicating what the reliance targets.
The word dependence comes from Middle French and originally meant a state of being dependent on something else. It entered English with the same core meaning as it did when borrowed centuries ago.