- 1[uncountable] dependency (on/upon somebody/something) the state of relying on someone or something for something, especially when this is not normal or necessary financial dependency Their aim is to reduce people's dependency on welfare. the dependency culture (= a way of life in which people depend too much on money from the government) compare codependency
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- 2[countable] a country, an area, etc. that is controlled by another country The Orkney Islands were formerly dependencies of Norway and Denmark.
- 3= dependence
Check pronunciation: dependency