1.2Not belonging to or supported by a political party.
‘the independent candidate’
‘When the matter went to Parliament, all political parties supported an independent Complaints Commission.’
‘Support for independent candidates and smaller parties has also risen, but in the locals rather than the Euro elections.’
‘The few independent candidates with political potential are quickly recruited by the parties.’
‘Instead of listening to other political parties and to independent experts he consistently and viciously denigrated all opposition.’
‘They strive to be independent from political parties and openly battle government-controlled organizations.’
‘It demands the building of a new independent political party.’
‘However, ward councillors can either join a new political party or become independent councillors.’
‘Democracy presupposes independent political parties and an electorate willing to debate issues and vote accordingly.’
‘The great weakness of the American workers movement historically has been its inability to establish an independent political party.’
‘Working people can defend their interests only through the establishment of their own independent political party.’
‘The time has come for the American working class to begin the arduous task of constructing an independent political party.’
‘Lenin did not invent the concept of the party or of the independent political organization of the working class.’
‘Those two seats went to candidates from little-known independent parties.’
‘The remaining 8 seats were clinched by splinter parties or independent candidates.’
‘This campaign exposed the ballot access barriers that confront all third party and independent candidates.’
‘Its founding in 1906 represented the first step by British workers towards their own independent political party.’
‘There are also minor party and independent candidates in many ridings, who generally deserve far more consideration than they receive.’
‘So now we have voter apathy across the board, adversely affecting both parties, and independent candidates fared worse.’
‘Half of them prefer party nominees to independent candidates.’
‘In time, this should improve the prospects of third parties and independent candidates.’
1.3(of broadcasting, a school, etc.) not supported by public funds.
‘an independent girls' school’
‘independent television’
‘Academies are independent schools funded by public money.’
‘The bill would have introduced a public benefit test for independent schools ensuring they prove they offer a benefit to the public and not just fee-payers.’
‘The Department for Education and Skills said no formal approach had been made by the schools, but it was not government policy to fund independent schools.’
‘Collaboration amongst educators across public, Catholic and independent schools is difficult to say the least.’
‘So we will help parents and other groups establish a new generation of independent schools funded by the state.’
‘This could also be the reason why few pupils go from public schools to independent schools.’
‘A new Charity Act will require independent schools to show they are meeting a public benefit test.’
‘There are also independent schools which are boarding or day, senior or junior, rural or urban, large or small.’
‘The group also runs two independent schools and three private nurseries in Wakefield and Barnsley.’
‘A cheeky calendar starring boys from a posh independent school has won a group of girl pupils a business award.’
‘What is on the screen will depend on whether the Council teams up with public space broadcasts or independent programmers.’
‘The overall pass rate this year for all schools, including both state and independent schools, was 69.6%.’
‘If you had a quota, you might actually say we will only make offers to 20% of independent school applicants.’
‘The selection procedure for independent schools is, for parents and children alike, a nerve-wracking experience.’
‘Nothing surprising there; with a higher per capita budget, independent schools of course do better on that score.’
‘He insisted independent schools from all faiths had a role to play in encouraging understanding of people from different backgrounds.’
‘There are more than 70 independent schools in Scotland - just under a quarter of which are in and around Edinburgh.’
‘The borough's independent schools joined in the celebrations.’
‘One academic says the proposal will increase the gap between State and independent schools to an alarming degree.’
‘Head teachers at other independent schools said above-inflation fee hikes were necessary to meet a number of rising costs.’
2.1(of income or resources) making it unnecessary to earn one's living.
‘a woman of independent means’
‘From about the early 1880s he had independent income and so he devoted himself to the problem of flight.’
3Capable of thinking or acting for oneself.
‘advice for independent travellers’
‘Will there be future developments that will once again force us to review the age at which we see a foetus as a human capable of independent survival?’
‘A toy capable of totally independent thought would be way too freaky.’
‘This had meant that Chris was very independent and more than capable of fending for himself on his own.’
‘We want them to be steeped in the democratic process and capable of independent thinking on all kinds of issues great and small.’
‘John is an independent adult, legally capable of making his own decisions.’
‘They have great scripts, great acting, an independent voice and are marketable.’
‘They wanted to be independent, strong, capable of standing on their own two feet.’
‘A molecule is the smallest unit of a substance capable of independent existence.’
‘There are two separate engines, one on each side of a locomotive and capable of independent operation.’
‘Get out while you're still capable of independent thought and action.’
‘And if there's a food place with a good write up in the independent travellers' bible, lo and behold, many food shops change their names to match.’
‘However, the overland crossing between Thailand and Malaysia has become a very popular independent traveller's route.’
‘The advantage of being part of a tour is gaining access to experiences that would be practically impossible for an independent traveller.’
‘I suggested that attracting backpackers and independent travellers would be a good way to get that ball rolling.’
‘They respond readily to a simple telepathic command, but as you can see, they are capable of independent action and collaboration as a group.’
‘Her music career, like her acting career, is as independent as she is.’
‘It provided them with training opportunities, courses and help with independent living.’
‘Stroke rehabilitation is designed to help you return to independent living.’
‘Balanced with that is the wish of older people to maintain independent living with their own front door rather than to move into more traditional residential homes.’
3.1Not influenced by others; impartial.
‘a thorough and independent investigation of the case’
‘He said the matter deserves an impartial, independent investigation.’
‘The European Convention on Human Rights demands a fair trial before an independent and impartial tribunal.’
‘Under such circumstances, how can one ensure a fair and independent investigation?’
‘Again, the service is independent, impartial and confidential.’
‘News and commentary have never been more interesting and diverse than they are today under the influence of independent media.’
‘In consequence, the judge is able to act, and to be seen to act, as an impartial and independent adjudicator.’
‘No one will take seriously a body that is not seen to be independent and impartial.’
‘They falsely pretend to be impartial and independent, or patronisingly portray themselves to be the same as ordinary people.’
‘International law requires that every criminal court be competent, independent and impartial.’
‘The administration is conducting an internal review, but momentum for an independent investigation is growing.’
‘And the Federal Bureau of Investigation is also conducting an independent investigation.’
‘The sacking was for unspecified professional misconduct after an independent investigation into allegations that he had an affair with a patient.’
‘That is a perfect example of the philosophy of the office of the independent counsel in this investigation.’
‘An independent investigation in to the Trust's waiting figures is now taking place, at the request of the government.’
‘There will be no such thing as a completely independent investigation.’
‘This is the only way to ensure that the people of Taiwan receive fair, objective and independent perspectives.’
‘The requirement that the tribunal should be independent and impartial is one that has long been recognised by English common law.’
‘The ads should also be subject to independent oversight.’
‘Providing minimal information which is not capable of independent verification should alert you that something may be wrong.’
‘Bacon was capable of offering independent advice and increasingly hostile towards Mary, queen of Scots.’