depend on/upon
phrasal verb
depended on/upon; depending on/upon; depends on/upon
1
: to be determined or decided by (something)
We're not sure if we'll have the picnic. It depends on the weather.
"Will you go back to college?" "I don't know. It depends on whether or not I can afford it."
The stamp's value depends on how rare it is.
Depending upon your child's weight and height, she or he may have to sit in the back seat of the car.
2
: to need (someone or something) for support, help, etc.
He no longer depends on his parents for money.
They depend heavily/largely/solely/entirely on her income to pay the bills.
3
: to be sure about (someone or something) : to trust (someone or something)
The manufacturer promises quality you can depend on.
She will be remembered as a woman upon whom people could depend.
—sometimes used humorouslyI can always depend on it to rain on days when I forget my umbrella.
Examples of depend on/upon in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For law enforcement, residents had to depend on the Tarrant County sheriff.
—
Richard Selcer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 May 2024
The number of releases supported each year will vary and depend on applications.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 4 May 2024
However, taxes will be tacked on at checkout and the amount will depend on the show’s city, state and venue.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 3 May 2024
There are some ingredients to steer clear of for any tile, and others that depend on the material.
—Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 May 2024
The plan could cost roughly €2 billion and would depend on conditions such as financing, technology and demand, the spokesman said.
—Tara Patel, Fortune Europe, 2 May 2024
The fate of the climate rule may depend on how courts answer these three questions:
– Does the major question doctrine apply?
—Patrick Parenteau, The Conversation, 1 May 2024
As with the hiring increases, the rate of decrease in retirements tended to depend on the size of the departments.
—Patrick Smith, NBC News, 29 Apr. 2024
This free-rider problem poses a challenge for unions, which depend on dues to fund their operations.
—Jacob Turcotte, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Apr. 2024
Richard Selcer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 May 2024
The number of releases supported each year will vary and depend on applications.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 4 May 2024
However, taxes will be tacked on at checkout and the amount will depend on the show’s city, state and venue.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 3 May 2024
There are some ingredients to steer clear of for any tile, and others that depend on the material.
—Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 May 2024
The plan could cost roughly €2 billion and would depend on conditions such as financing, technology and demand, the spokesman said.
—Tara Patel, Fortune Europe, 2 May 2024
The fate of the climate rule may depend on how courts answer these three questions:
– Does the major question doctrine apply?
—Patrick Parenteau, The Conversation, 1 May 2024
As with the hiring increases, the rate of decrease in retirements tended to depend on the size of the departments.
—Patrick Smith, NBC News, 29 Apr. 2024
This free-rider problem poses a challenge for unions, which depend on dues to fund their operations.
—Jacob Turcotte, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'depend on/upon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near depend on/upon
Cite this Entry
“Depend on/upon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depend%20on%2Fupon. Accessed 7 May. 2024.
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