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

But large companies such as Google and Microsoft have come to depend on CoreWeave. —Jordan Novet, CNBC, 14 May 2025

These new regulations significantly disrupt lead generation strategies that depend on using beneficiary data without explicit consent, forcing third-party marketing organizations (TPMOs) to pivot toward opt-in mechanisms and cultivating relationships grounded in transparency and trust. —William Decourcy, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025

While the easing of sanctions has already prompted celebrations in Syria and support from regional leaders, economists say real change will depend on how much relief is offered. —Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025

Pricing strategies will also depend on how critical an item is to customers’ overall perceptions of the brand. —Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 13 May 2025