dependency
dih-PEN-duhn-see
/dɪˈpen.dən.si/
The state of relying on or needing someone or something for aid, support, or existence.
In policy discourse, it often carries a cautious or critical tone regarding long-term reliance on external aid over economic self-sufficiency.
The story behind the word. Formed from Latin 'dependere', meaning 'to hang down from.' Picture an object hanging suspended from a hook: if the hook breaks, the object falls. The word evolved metaphorically to describe anyone hanging onto another person or institution for support.
Word relationships
- reliance: Reliance is neutral and can refer to positive teamwork, while dependency often implies vulnerable or helpless reliance.
- subservience: Subservience implies active submission or obedience, whereas dependency focuses on reliance for financial or physical needs.
- autonomy: Autonomy is total self-governance and independence from external control.
- self-reliance: Self-reliance means meeting one's own needs without relying on external institutions.
Commonly confused with
- dependence: Dependence is the state of depending, whereas dependency often refers to a specific territory, condition, or systemic habit of reliance.
Word family
- dependent (adjective): Relying on another for support.
- depend (verb): To rely on.
Collocations
- welfare dependency
- economic dependency
- chemical dependency
- create dependency
Example sentences
- "Policy analysts argued that long-term aid without job training could create structural dependency among unemployed residents." Economic Sociology
- "The island nation sought to reduce its economic dependency on foreign fuel imports by investing in solar power." Global Economics
Memory hook
De-PEND = picture a PENDulum hanging down from a clock. Hanging down from.
When not to use
Avoid confusing with simple friendship or mutual cooperation where neither side is dependent for survival.
Fun facts
- In international politics, a 'dependency' can also refer to a territorial possession that is not fully independent, such as Bermuda.
Explore more words
precede, sequential, interdependent, interdependence, reliant, contingent
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