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

The length of her absence will depend on the outcome of the surgical procedure. —Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025

Ultimately, that will depend on cost and distribution mechanisms, especially in low and middle-income countries. —Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 18 June 2025

Whether the Brewers, Cardinals or Cincinnati Reds will be battling the Cubs for the division title in September might depend on the next couple of weeks. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2025

How Often To Clean Silver This will depend on several factors, including how it is stored and what it is exposed to. —Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 18 June 2025