dependency
noun
de·pen·den·cy
di-ˈpen-dən(t)-sē 
plural dependencies
2
: something that is dependent on something else
especially
: a territorial unit under the jurisdiction of a nation but not formally annexed by it
3
: a building (such as a stable) that is an adjunct to a main dwelling
Examples of dependency in a Sentence
the country's dependency on foreign oil
a dependency on foreign oil
Recent Examples on the Web
Outside help comes as critical co-investment, not handouts creating more dependency.
—
Juan Carlos Navarro, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
In many developer flows, new dependency versions are downloaded and incorporated into the downstream packages automatically.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 25 July 2025
With beef imports rising by 10% over the past year, a higher U.S. dependency on the product from abroad puts it more at risk should tariffs increase, particularly on top exporters to the U.S., the largest being Canada.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 23 July 2025
Studies seem to show clearer correlations with dependency and even loneliness, something even OpenAI has pointed to.
—Parmy Olson, Twin Cities, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dependency
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Juan Carlos Navarro, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
In many developer flows, new dependency versions are downloaded and incorporated into the downstream packages automatically.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 25 July 2025
With beef imports rising by 10% over the past year, a higher U.S. dependency on the product from abroad puts it more at risk should tariffs increase, particularly on top exporters to the U.S., the largest being Canada.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 23 July 2025
Studies seem to show clearer correlations with dependency and even loneliness, something even OpenAI has pointed to.
—Parmy Olson, Twin Cities, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dependency
Cite this Entry
“Dependency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dependency. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share