dependency — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A state of dependence; a refusal to exercise initiative.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   Frank's sullen dependency was driving his father nuts.

2. Something dependent on, or subordinate to, something else

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   In the United States' governmental structure, the military is conceived as a dependency under the executive branch.

3. The status of being a legal dependent; the relationship between a dependent and their provider.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   In discussing this dependency, the Board said that there was clearly such a relationship. Charles Glassman, Donovan's attorney, said "Finnerty [worked] as deputy district attorney and Donovan lived off [Finnerty's] salary."

   The rules for dependency require that the person claiming the dependency provide more than half of the children's support for the year. Length of time spent with the child is not a consideration. Since your parents probably paid more, they get to claim the dependencies.

4. A colony, or a territory subject to rule by an external power.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   colonyprotectorateprovincedominion

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   ‘I have a little theory which you Messieurs who go out there must help me to prove. This is my share in the advantages my country shall reap from the possession of such a magnificent dependency.’

5. A dependence on a habit-forming substance such as a drug or alcohol.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   addiction

6. Reliance on the functionality provided by some other, external component.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   This library has dependencies on a lot of other libraries. We have to compile all of those other libraries first.

7. An external component whose functionality is relied on.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   One of this library's dependencies is very finicky. It can be hard to get it to compile on some systems.

Noun

1. the state of relying on or being controlled by someone or something else

   Synonyms

   dependencedependance

   Broader terms

   state

2. being abnormally tolerant to and dependent on something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming (especially alcohol or narcotic drugs)

   Synonyms

   addictiondependencedependancehabituation

   Broader terms

   physical conditionphysiological statephysiological condition

3. a geographical area politically controlled by a distant country

   Synonyms

   colony

   Broader terms

   geographical areageographic areageographical regiongeographic region