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 humorously

I 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

Business leaders said the rule will take a toll on operations whose livelihoods depend on affordable access to hot water. —Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2024

But the results are undoubtedly a personal setback for the prime minister, whose face has been the central promise of the BJP’s campaign this election—featured on billboards, posters, and campaigns across the country—and who has never had to depend on coalition partners for survival. —Astha Rajvanshi, TIME, 4 June 2024

That’s gonna depend on what happens to productivity growth, among other things. —Byeleanor Pringle, Fortune, 3 June 2024

The next steps depend on the type of carpal tunnel release: Open release: The surgeon will cut a roughly two-inch incision on the wrist. —Scott Sundick, Verywell Health, 3 June 2024