dependent Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a person who relies on another person for support (especially financial support)
    dependant.
  2. adjective relying on or requiring a person or thing for support, supply, or what is needed
    • dependent children
    • dependent on moisture
  3. adjective satellite contingent on something else
    qualified; dependant.
  4. adjective (of a clause) unable to stand alone syntactically as a complete sentence
    subordinate.
    • a subordinate (or dependent) clause functions as a noun or adjective or adverb within a sentence
  5. adjective satellite held from above
    pendent; pendant.
    • a pendant bunch of grapes
  6. adjective satellite being under the power or sovereignty of another or others
    subject.
    • subject peoples
    • a dependent prince
  7. adjective satellite addicted to a drug
    hooked; drug-addicted; dependant; strung-out.

WordNet

De*pend"ent adjective
Etymology
L. dependens, -entis, p. pr. dependere. See Depend, and cf. Dependant.
Definitions
  1. Hanging down; as, a dependent bough or leaf.
  2. Relying on, or subject to, something else for support; not able to exist, or sustain itself, or to perform anything, without the will, power, or aid of something else; not self-sustaining; contingent or conditioned; subordinate; -- often with on or upon; as, dependent on God; dependent upon friends.
    England, long dependent and degraded, was again a power of the first rank. Macaulay.
De*pend"ent noun
Definitions
  1. One who depends; one who is sustained by another, or who relies on another for support of favor; a hanger-on; a retainer; as, a numerous train of dependents.
    A host of dependents on the court, suborned to play their part as witnesses. Hallam.
  2. That which depends; corollary; consequence.
    With all its circumstances and dependents. Prynne.
    ✍ See the Note under Dependant.

Webster 1913