depend

[ dih-pend ]

verb (used without object)

1. to rely; place trust (usually followed by on or upon ):

   You may depend on the accuracy of the report.

2. to rely for support, maintenance, help, etc. (usually followed by on or upon ):

   Children depend on their parents.

3. to be conditioned or contingent (usually followed by on or upon ):

   His success here depends upon effort and ability.

4. to be undetermined or pending:

   I may go to Europe or I may not, it all depends.

5. Grammar. (of a word or other linguistic form) to be subordinate to another linguistic form in the same construction; to form a part of a construction other than the head.
6. to hang down; be suspended (usually followed by from ):

   The chandelier depends from the ceiling of the ballroom.

depend

/ dɪˈpɛnd /

verb

1. foll byon or upon to put trust (in); rely (on); be sure (of)
2. usually foll byon or upon; often with it as subject to be influenced or determined (by); be resultant (from)

   whether you come or not depends on what father says

   it all depends on you

3. foll byon or upon to rely (on) for income, support, etc
4. rare.
   foll by from to hang down; be suspended
5. to be undecided or pending

Other Word Forms

• inter·de·pend verb (used without object)
• rede·pend verb (used without object)
• self-de·pending adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of depend¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English dependen, from Old French dependre, from Latin dēpendere “to hang down,” from dē- de- + pendere “to hang”

Word History and Origins

Origin of depend¹

C15: from Old French dependre, from Latin dēpendēre to hang from, from de- + pendēre to hang

Example Sentences

The arrangement depends on the honesty of golfers to enter scores that reflect their true ability.

From BBC

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has stated the American dream depends on the creation of new jobs and affordable mortgages and cars, not “cheap baubles from China.”

From Los Angeles Times

They might be especially perturbed when reminded that the high quality of American health care depends largely on the influx of medical doctors and researchers from around the world.

From Salon

What happens next will depend on what type of sentence the judge offers the brothers.

From BBC

Scientists have warned that if another Carrington happens, we would be even more vulnerable today given how much of our lives depend on the electrical grid.

From Salon

Related Words

• hinge on
• rest on
• revolve around