dependencies

Noun

dependency (countable and uncountable, plural dependencies)

1. A state of dependence; a refusal to exercise initiative.
   • Frank's sullen dependency was driving his father nuts.
2. Something dependent on, or subordinate to, something else
   • 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.
   • 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."1983 December 31, Christine Guilfoy, “Gay Man in California Granted Survivor Benefits”, in Gay Community News, volume 11, number 24, page 1
4. A colony, or a territory subject to rule by an external power.
   • ‘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.’1899 February, Joseph Conrad, “The Heart of Darkness”, in Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, volume CLXV, number M, New York, N.Y.: The Leonard Scott Publishing Company, […], →OCLC, part I, page 201

   Synonyms:

   colony, protectorate, province, dominion

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

   Synonyms:

   addiction

6. Reliance on the functionality provided by some other, external component.
   • This library has dependencies on a lot of other libraries. We have to compile all of those other libraries first.

See all 7 meanings of dependency