interdependent

/ˌˈɪntərdəˌpɛndənt/

/ɪntədɪˈpɛndɪnt/

Other forms: interdependently

When objects or people are interdependent, they come to rely on each other for survival. As business becomes more and more international, the world is increasingly interdependent, with countries needing each other's help to survive.

Interdependent comes from the Latin word inter meaning "among, between," and dependere which means "to hang from, be dependent on." When two people are interdependent, they have a sense of dependency between them. Married couples are often interdependent. They rely on one another — whether for income or child care or love — to get by.

Definitions of interdependent

1. adjective

   mutually dependent
   synonyms: mutualist, mutually beneficial

   dependent

   relying on or requiring a person or thing for support, supply, or what is needed