in·de·pen·dence
Pronounced:
/ˌɪndəˈpɛndəns/
Function:
nounMeaning:
1 : freedom from outside control or support : the state of being independent [noncount] ▪ They are fighting for independence from colonial rule. [=fighting because they want to stop being a colony ruled by another country] ▪ Her ambition is to achieve financial independence. [=to earn all the money she needs; to not depend on money given by anyone else] ▪ She asserted her independence from her parents by getting her own apartment. ▪ The country declared (its) independence. [=said that it would no longer accept the rule of another country] ▪ a war of independence [=a war that is fought to gain independence] [singular] ▪ He has shown a fierce independence of spirit/thought.
2 [noncount] : the time when a country or region gains political freedom from outside control ▪ A month after independence, elections were held.
2 [noncount] : the time when a country or region gains political freedom from outside control ▪ A month after independence, elections were held.