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 may depend on whether the Trump administration can make arrangements for the Venezuelan government or another country to receive them. —Carol Rosenberg, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025

The benefits of one supplement form vs. another depend on your individual needs and preferences. —Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 19 Feb. 2025

Success will depend on practical steps to harness AI's potential, mitigate risks and ensure strong security. —Art Gilliland, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025

But the president has vowed not to tamper with Social Security or Medicare, both of which are extremely popular, especially among retirees who depend on them. —Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2025