'record-dependent' is a Modern English compound formed by combining the noun 'record' and the adjective 'dependent'. 'Record' ultimately comes from Latin 'recordari' (to recall), via Old French 'record' and Middle English, while 'dependent' comes from Latin 'dependēre' (to hang down, to be determined by), via Old French and Middle English.

'record' evolved from Latin 'recordari' through Old French 'record' into Middle English 'record' meaning a thing remembered or a written account; 'dependent' developed from Latin 'dependere' into Old French and then Middle English 'dependent'/'dependant', and in Modern English the two elements were joined as a compound adjective 'record-dependent'.

Individually, 'record' originally related to recalling or a written account and 'dependent' to being determined by; together as 'record-dependent' the compound has come to mean 'relying on the existence or content of records' with a primarily technical or administrative usage.