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

That’s because diversity also means something more in regional public universities: Many students at SIU come from families that are poor, or barely middle class, and depend on scholarships and mentorship to succeed. —Molly Parker, ProPublica, 27 Mar. 2025

Currently, pharmaceutical researchers depend on physicians to pinpoint who might qualify for a clinical trial. —Kamya Elawadhi, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025

Our local lawmakers must stand up for the seniors who depend on meal delivery and protect this funding. —Maria Carriedo-Ceniceros, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025

Any change to the plans for next year would depend on the position of all the engine manufacturers. —Luke Smith, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025