1 : not dependent: such as a : not controlled or ruled by another country ▪ The country recently became independent. ▪ an independent nation b : not controlled by other people ▪ They have a good deal of independent authority. ▪ an independent investigator [=a person who is not directly involved in a situation or dispute and who is free to investigate problems and make judgments about what should be done] c : not requiring or relying on other people for help or support ▪ She has an independent income. ▪ She is a woman of independent means. [=she has enough money to support herself without help from others] d : not associated with or owned by a larger business ▪ an independent record label ▪ an independent film studio ▪ an independent bookstore ▪ They hired an independent contractor [=a person hired to do work who controls how the work is done] to fix the roof. ; also : produced by an independent company ▪ an independent film
2 : separate from and not connected to other people, things, etc. ▪ Another laboratory has provided independent confirmation of the test results. ▪ She is doing an independent study in Art History this semester. [=a course of study done by a student without an instructor or with help from an instructor but not as part of an organized class] ▪ This car has four-wheel independent suspension. [=each of the four wheels has its own set of supports for the body of the car] —often + of ▪ The women enjoyed rights independent of their husbands. ▪ The speed of the particle is independent of its wavelength. [=is not connected/related to its wavelength]
3 [more in*de*pen*dent; most in*de*pen*dent] : acting or thinking freely instead of being guided by other people ▪ She is a very independent person. ▪ She has an independent mind/spirit. ▪ She's an independent thinker. ▪ They lead an independent life.
4 politics : not belonging to a political party ▪ independent voters ▪ an independent candidate