depend on/upon
phrasal verbdepended on/upon; depending on/upon; depends on/upon
Definition of depend 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.
Test Your Vocabulary
Words of Snow and Ice Quiz
- Which of the following refers to thin, bending ice, or to the act of running over such ice?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Anagram puzzles meet word search.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Words of Snow and Ice Quiz
A selection of words from the chillier parts of t...
Take the quizName that Thing: Toys and Games Edition
It's all fun and games until someone beats your h...
Take the quizTrue or False?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something a...
Take the quizSCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!
Play the game
Share depend on/upon