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 statements made in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events. —Charlotte Observer, 22 Apr. 2024

The effort will depend on other groups like Third Way, MoveOn, and a new super PAC, Clear Choice, backed by allies of President Biden. —Allison Novelo, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2024

With an ongoing crisis in affordable care, women are further pushed to depend on their partners or leave the workforce entirely. —Chloe Berger, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024

Symptoms depend on where the tumor is located on the brain but can include seizures, constant headaches, trouble speaking, memory loss and vomiting. —Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 17 Apr. 2024

The review found that many of those communities depend on local caribou and fish and that an industrial road would harm the migration and survival rates of caribou that are already threatened by climate change. —Lisa Friedman, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2024

The intensity of the thunderstorms that are likely to form in this system will depend on how quickly the cap over the region dissipates. —David Montesino, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2024

In other instances, tree farms might replace native vegetation, doing more ecological harm than good and negatively impacting the livelihoods of communities that depend on those resources. —Justine Calma, The Verge, 15 Apr. 2024

Treatments depend on the cause but may include antibiotics, antiviral medications, breathing support, and home remedies. —Korin Miller, Health, 14 Apr. 2024