relying on someone or something else for aid, support, etc.

conditioned or determined by something else; contingent

Our trip is dependent on the weather.

subordinate; subject

a dependent territory.

Grammar . not used in isolation; used only in connection with other forms. In I walked out when the bell rang, when the bell rang is a dependent clause. Compare independent ( def. 14 ) , main 1 ( def. 4 ) .

hanging down; pendent.

Mathematics .

(of a variable) having values determined by one or more independent variables.

(of an equation) having solutions that are identical to those of another equation or to those of a set of equations.

Statistics . (of an event or a value) not statistically independent.

a person who depends on or needs someone or something for aid, support, favor, etc.

a child, spouse, parent, or certain other relative to whom one contributes all or a major amount of necessary financial support

She listed two dependents on her income-tax form.

Archaic . a subordinate part.