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dependent

adjective

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de·pen·dent | \ di-ˈpen-dənt

Definition of dependent

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : determined or conditioned by another : contingent plans that are dependent on the weather

b(1) : relying on another for support dependent children Their youngest daughter is still dependent on them.

(2) : affected with a drug dependence (see dependence sense 4) alcohol dependent

c grammar : subordinate sense 3a dependent clauses

d : subject to another's jurisdiction a dependent territory

2 mathematics

a : not mathematically or statistically independent (see independent entry 1 sense 1e) a dependent set of vectors dependent events

b : equivalent sense 6a dependent equations

3 : hanging down dependent lamps

dependent

noun

de·pen·dent | \ di-ˈpen-dənt

variants: or less commonly dependant

Definition of dependent (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : one that is dependent especially : a person who relies on another for support an individual's spouse and dependent

2 archaic : dependency

Other Words from dependent Synonyms Is it ever correct to use dependant instead of dependent? More Example Sentences Learn More about dependent

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Synonyms for dependent

Synonyms: Adjective

Is it ever correct to use dependant instead of dependent?

The simple answer to the question of when dependant should be preferred to dependent is—for the American writer, anyway—maybe never. But that's only the simple answer.

In British English, dependant tends to be used for the noun, as in "a person's spouse and dependants," while dependent is the usual choice for the adjective, as in "a person's spouse and dependent children." In American English, dependent typically does both jobs.

This wasn't always the case: dependant is the older of the pair. The word is derived from French dépendant, which was borrowed into English during the Middle Ages with two different meanings: a literal one, "hanging down" (dépendant is the present participle of the French verb dépendre, meaning "to hang down”) and an extended one, “determined or conditioned by another.”

For two centuries, the English adjective was frequently spelled with final -ant or -aunt. But in the 16th century, the spelling of the word began to shift toward the -ent ending, influenced by the Latin form of the word, dēpendēnt. It is this Latinized spelling of the adjective that is predominately found in American and British English today.

The French-derived dependant, however, still has life across the pond—as a noun. The noun form is newer; it dates to the early 16th century, around the time that the spelling of the word was shifting. Why the -ant spelling for the noun had more staying power in British English is unknown. As the Oxford English Dictionary notes, it was possibly influenced by other nouns, such as defendant and assistant.

In summary, dependant can be used for the noun in either British or American English, but dependent for either noun or adjective is a safe choice in American English.

Examples of dependent in a Sentence

Adjective He has been alcohol dependent for several years. the dependent willow branches swayed in the gentle breeze Noun The insurance provides coverage for workers and their dependents. a person's spouse and dependents Do you have any dependents?

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Wednesday’s weather is dependent on the position of a cold front. — Washington Post, "D.C.-area forecast: Very nice weather starts off this week, but rainy at times during the second half," 5 Apr. 2021 The marketing push in a midst of a pandemic initially drew some criticism, but its debut always been dependent on COVID-19 cases. — BostonGlobe.com, "Can Boston’s new ‘All Inclusive’ tourism campaign help change its racist image?," 5 Apr. 2021 The majority of our business is dependent on in-person dining. — Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville's Indian restaurants are 'in survival mode' during most recent dining shutdown," 5 Apr. 2021 The decline could have an impact going forward for school budgets that are dependent on headcounts. — Barnini Chakraborty, Washington Examiner, "Public schools facing enrollment dip try to entice parents back," 5 Apr. 2021 The same applies to the portions of Tilden’s stock awards in 2019 and 2018 that were dependent on the company’s financial performance over a three-year period. — Author: Dominic Gates, Anchorage Daily News, "Most Alaska Air executives’ pay in 2020 cut by massive airline downturn," 31 Mar. 2021 In many cases, note the authors, this means new rare earth mining projects are dependent on long-term contracts with Chinese firms that purchase the rare earth ores for processing in China. — Mary Hui, Quartz, "Rare earths mining is taking center stage in Greenland’s snap election," 31 Mar. 2021 At the core of Mr. Biden’s infrastructure and supply-chain initiatives is an effort — parts of which began in the Trump years — to ensure the West is not dependent on Chinese technology. — New York Times, "Biden Defines His Underlying Challenge With China: ‘Prove Democracy Works’," 26 Mar. 2021 That is dependent on who is speaking, and what exactly is said. — Shafi Musaddique, The Christian Science Monitor, "Bias against darker skin: Colorism gnaws in Britain’s minority communities," 24 Mar. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Unfortunately, anyone who was claimed as a dependent on someone else's return wasn't eligible for a check of their own. — Jessica Menton, USA TODAY, "From stimulus checks to Tax Day 2021: Answers to your questions about IRS changes, COVID relief and more," 19 Mar. 2021 Pregnant women, new mothers, full-time students, retirees and those caring for a dependent at home were exempt. — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, "Column: Biden drives another nail into the coffin of Medicaid work requirements," 18 Mar. 2021 College students who aren’t claimed as a dependent on a parent’s return in 2020 can also claim a recovery rebate credit on their 2020 tax return. — Ashlea Ebeling, Forbes, "Rich Retirees Get Tax Time Surprise: 3 Stimulus Payments," 11 Mar. 2021 For example, if a disabled adult lived at home with his or her parents and the parents claimed him or her as a dependent on their income taxes, the disabled adult didn’t get a check. — Michael Collins, USA TODAY, "$1,400 checks are coming in the new coronavirus relief bill. Here's who will get them, and who won't.," 10 Mar. 2021 Beginning with the squicky idea of a vampire-girl with an adult male dependent, Butler’s Ina families pose characteristically unsettling questions. — Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, "How Octavia E. Butler Reimagines Sex and Survival," 8 Mar. 2021 And don't forget that a non-custodial parent needs to have Form 8332 to claim a dependent. — Peter J Reilly, Forbes, "Stimulus Checks And Your 2020 Return - Hurry Up Or Wait ?," 25 Feb. 2021 In the two prior rounds of stimulus payments, people over age 17 who could be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return - such as college students or disabled adults - were not eligible for stimulus money. — Anchorage Daily News, "Here’s the new Democratic plan for $1,400 stimulus checks," 4 Feb. 2021 The cards are available to noncitizens who are Virginia residents, have reported income in Virginia or are claimed as a dependent on a tax return filed in the state. — Washington Post, "Undocumented immigrants will soon be able to drive legally in Virginia — if they can access the DMV," 28 Dec. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dependent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near dependent

dependent differentiation

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Last Updated

8 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Dependent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dependent. Accessed 9 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for dependent

dependent

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of dependent

(Entry 1 of 2)

: decided or controlled by something else

: needing someone or something else for support, help, etc.

: addicted to alcohol or a drug

dependent

noun

English Language Learners Definition of dependent (Entry 2 of 2)

: a person (such as a child) whose food, clothing, etc., you are responsible for providing

See the full definition for dependent in the English Language Learners Dictionary

dependent

adjective

de·pen·dent | \ di-ˈpen-dənt

Kids Definition of dependent

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : determined by something or someone else Our plans are dependent on the weather.

2 : relying on someone else for support

3 : requiring or addicted to a drug or alcohol

dependent

noun

Kids Definition of dependent (Entry 2 of 2)

: a person who depends upon another for support

dependent

adjective

de·pen·dent | \ di-ˈpen-dənt

Medical Definition of dependent

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : unable to exist, sustain oneself, or act appropriately or normally without the assistance or direction of another

2 : affected with a drug dependence

3a : occurring under the influence of gravity dependent drainage

b : affecting the lower part of the body and especially the legs dependent edema

dependent

noun

variants: also dependant

Medical Definition of dependent (Entry 2 of 2)

: one that is dependent (as on drugs or a person)

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dependent

adjective

de·pen·dent

Legal Definition of dependent

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : determined or conditioned by another : contingent

2a : relying on another for especially financial support

b : lacking the necessary means of support or protection and in need of aid from others (as a public agency) have the child declared dependent and taken away from his or her parents— L. H. Tribe

3 : subject to another's jurisdiction the United States and its dependent territories

dependent

noun

Legal Definition of dependent (Entry 2 of 2)

: a person who is dependent especially : a close relative or member of a taxpayer's household who receives over half of his or her support from the taxpayer and is a U.S. citizen, national, or resident, or a resident of a bordering country (as Mexico) — see also dependency exemption at exemption

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