Independence - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT independence /ˈɪndəˌpɛndəns/ /ɪndɪˈpɛndəns/ IPA guide

Other forms: independences

Independence is the state of being free of the control of some other person, country or entity. Revolutions are all about obtaining independence, most famously perhaps the Revolutionary War in America, which led to America's freedom from Britain.

Independence comes from a nice medieval French word, depenre, meaning "to hang from," or "to hang down." The in at the beginning is Latin for "not," so the word originally meant "not hanging from," which is a neat description of what countries achieve by throwing off their colonizers. Teenagers also commonly seek independence from their parents — but perhaps not financial independence.

Definitions of independence

noun freedom from control or influence of another or others synonyms: independency see moresee less types: show 5 types... hide 5 types... autonomy, liberty immunity from arbitrary exercise of authority: political independence autarchy, autarky economic independence as a national policy autonomy, self-direction, self-reliance, self-sufficiency personal independence separateness political independence self-determination, self-government, self-rule government by a country's own people rather than by an outside power type of: freedom the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
noun the successful ending of the American Revolution “they maintained close relations with England even after independence” see moresee less type of: triumph, victory a successful ending of a struggle or contest

Pronunciation US /ˈɪndəˌpɛndəns/ UK /ɪndɪˈpɛndəns/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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