1
: from this place : away
2
a
archaic : henceforth
b
: from this time
four years hence
3
: because of a preceding fact or premise : therefore
4
: from this source or origin
Phrases
from hence
archaic : from this place : from this time

Examples of hence in a Sentence

Resource-rich countries don't need to levy taxes, so there is little pressure for government accountability, and hence fewer checks and balances. Niall Ferguson, New York Times Book Review, 1 July 2007
Panforte—a cross between a cake and a candy—is a classic Italian Christmas treat. It's a very dense, rich confection loaded with nuts, dried fruit, and spices (hence its name, which means "strong bread"). Gourmet, December 2002
Common sense told the YA librarian that if ever she hoped to be successful with her clients, she would have to offset the prevailing attitude of most of the staff. Through determination and patience, she soon established herself as confidante, friend, and advisor to large numbers of middle and high school students. Hence, it was not surprising when she was approached one day by a young man and young woman with a request. A. J. Anderson, Library Journal, 1 May 1994
He knew he could not win the election—hence his decision to withdraw. The company lost a great deal of money. Hence, the CEO was asked to resign. What will life be like a century hence?
Recent Examples on the Web Blackjack Online Games: 4.3/5 Las Atlantis has got a fairly tight selection of blackjack games (certainly the tightest in our review guide, hence its fifth-place), but it’s got so much going for it otherwise. Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 The gap between companies’ order intake and their stocks has decreased globally, and hence, even a moderate increase in demand should lead to replenishments, Grahn said in the report. Niclas Rolander, Fortune Europe, 5 Mar. 2024 In North America, the woodrat (also known as the ‘packrat’ – hence the term for humans who collect lots of stuff) is a prime example of rodents that forage for objects and return them to a shelter. Matt Benoit, Discover Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024 Ranganath points out that a person’s age does not say anything about the person’s cognitive status, and hence their ability to do the job. Tj Hutchinson, The Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2024 Still, people have long been wondering what's been going on with Williams – hence the documentary's title – perhaps overriding their thoughtfulness about her privacy. David Oliver, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2024 Fears of missile attacks are a reality of life for people living in that area of Israel — hence the safe rooms in most homes. Claudia Levens, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024 The chances are quite strong that when Californians look back on 2024 a year hence, those issues will be as depressing as ever. Dan Walters, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024 At the time, Benzion was a largely unknown and quasi-mystical interpreter of the Iberian Inquisition—which, for him, represented the perennial efflorescence of antisemitism as a racialized (and hence ineradicable) phenomenon. Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 15 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English hennes, henne, from Old English heonan; akin to Old High German hinnan away, Old English hēr here

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hence was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near hence

Cite this Entry

“Hence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hence. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

hence

adverb
1
: from this place or time
a week hence
2
: consequently, therefore
was a newcomer and hence had no close friends in the city

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