1
independent
/ˌɪndəˈpɛndənt/
adjective
/ˌɪndəˈpɛndənt/
adjective
Britannica Dictionary definition of INDEPENDENT
1
:
not dependent: such as
a
:
not controlled or ruled by another country
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
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
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
3
[more independent; most independent]
:
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
— independently
adverb
-
They were working independently from/of one another.
-
Every store is independently owned and operated.
-
She's independently wealthy.
-
He continues to live independently despite his injuries.
2
independent
/ˌɪndəˈpɛndənt/
noun
plural
independents
2
independent
/ˌɪndəˈpɛndənt/
noun
plural
independents
Britannica Dictionary definition of INDEPENDENT
[count]
1
:
someone or something that is not connected to others of the same kind
-
He started publishing a trendy independent [=an independent newspaper or magazine] that covers controversial topics.
-
The school left the conference to become an independent. [=a school whose sports teams are not associated with a league]
2
politics
or
Independent
:
a person who does not belong to a political party