noun [U]
1 ~ (from sb/sth) (of a country) freedom from political control by other countries:
Cuba gained independence from Spain in 1898.
2 the time when a country became politically independent:
independence celebrations * the first elections since independence
3 the freedom to organize your own life, make your own decisions, etc. without needing help from other people:
He values his independence. * a woman's financial independence
OPPDEPENDENCE
