independence

plural independences · alternative obsolete independance

1. countableuncountableThe quality or state of being independent; lack of dependence; the state of not being reliant on, or controlled by, others.

   In 1947, India gained independence from the British Empire.

   3 more examples

   Bob the aforesaid, and his present chances of deriving a competent independence from the honourable profession to which he had devoted himself.

   1836 March – 1837 October, Charles Dickens, “Relates How Mr. Pickwick, with the Assistance of Samuel Weller, Essayed to Soften the Heart of Mr. Benjamin Allen, and to Mollify the Wrath of Mr. Robert Sawyer”, in The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, London: Chapman and Hall, […], published 1837, →OCLC, page 508

   […] I had achieved my own living, preserved my independence, and become indebted to no one.

   1851, George Borrow, chapter XXXI, in Lavengro; the Scholar—the Gypsy—the Priest. […], volume II, London: John Murray […], →OCLC, pages 271–272

   And this year, some of the granite facades have a new addition - the blue and yellow of the flag of Ukraine. It's hardly surprising to see the Scots, a nation more attuned to independence than some, showing solidarity with a country brutally invaded by Russia.

   2022 November 30, Paul Bigland, “Destination Oban: a Sunday in Scotland”, in RAIL, number 971, page 75

2. countableuncountableThe state of having sufficient means for a comfortable livelihood.

1. A number of places in the United States:
   1. An unincorporated community in Calaveras County, California.
   2. A census-designated place, the county seat of Inyo County, California.
   3. A ghost town in Pitkin County, Colorado.
   4. An unincorporated community in Warren Township, Warren County, Indiana.
   5. A city, the county seat of Buchanan County, Iowa.
   6. A city, the county seat of Montgomery County, Kansas.
   7. A city in Kentucky, and one of the two county seats of Kenton County.
   8. A town in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana.
   9. A city in Hennepin County, Minnesota.
   10. An unincorporated community in St. Louis County, Minnesota.
   11. A census-designated place in Tate County, Mississippi.
   12. A city in Missouri, United States and one of the two county seats of Jackson County.

       I was in Kansas City on November 6; it was the day before election, and as usual I planned to cast my ballot in Independence.

       1956, Harry S. Truman, chapter 24, in Memoirs of Harry S. Truman: Years of Trial And Hope, volume II, Doubleday & Company, →OCLC, pages 373–374

   13. A town in Allegany County, New York.
   14. A river in New York; rising in Big Moose and flowing into the Black River at Pine Grove.
   15. A city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
   16. An unincorporated community in Defiance County, Ohio.
   17. A ghost town in Custer County, Oklahoma.
   18. A city in Polk County, Oregon; named for the city in Missouri.
   19. An unincorporated community in Henderson County, Tennessee.
   20. An unincorporated community in Washington County, Texas.
   21. An unincorporated community in Uintah County, Utah.
   22. A town in Wasatch County, Utah.
   23. A town, the county seat of Grayson County, Virginia.
   24. An unincorporated community in Barbour County, West Virginia.
   25. An unincorporated community in Clay County, West Virginia.
   26. An unincorporated community in Jackson County, West Virginia.
   27. An unincorporated community in Preston County, West Virginia.
   28. An unincorporated community in Thurston County, Washington.
   29. A city in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin.
   30. A number of townships in the United States, listed under Independence Township.