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

Zinc is ingested with food, but the specific isotopes preserved in muscles, organs and skeletal tissues depend on the animal’s place in the food chain. —David Bressan, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025

So, the timing of lint buildup can depend on your vent. —Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 26 May 2025

Payments largely depend on a recipient’s retirement age. —Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 25 May 2025

That’s unclear and will depend on a few factors, experts say. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 23 May 2025