/ dɪˈpendənsi; NAmE / noun ( pl. -ies )
1.
[ U ] dependency (on / upon sb/sth) the state of relying on sb/sth for sth, especially when this is not normal or necessary :
financial dependency
Their aim is to reduce people's dependency on the welfare state.
the dependency culture (= a way of life on which people depend too much on money from the government)
—compare codependency
2.
[ C ] a country, an area, etc. that is controlled by another country
3.
= dependence (2)