depend

American  

[dih-pend] / dɪˈpɛnd /

verb (used without object)

1. to rely; place trust (usually followed by on orupon ).

   You may depend on the accuracy of the report.

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

   Children depend on their parents.

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

   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 byfrom ).

   The chandelier depends from the ceiling of the ballroom.

---

depend British  

/ dɪˈpɛnd /

verb

1. to put trust (in); rely (on); be sure (of)

2. 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. 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

• interdepend verb (used without object)
• redepend verb (used without object)
• self-depending adjective

Etymology

Origin of depend

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”

Example Sentences

“The potential to boost Venezuelan production hinges on capital, which in turn depends on political stability and likely requires guarantees from the U.S. government.”

From The Wall Street Journal

“There are certain things you can depend on in life, and death, taxes and pizza are among them,” Baker said.

From The Wall Street Journal

In some areas, successful recovery would also depend on providing alternative livelihoods for fishing communities during rebuilding periods, along with international cooperation and support.

From Science Daily

This is a challenge for a country that depends on energy exports to bring in the dollars it needs to stabilize its currency and make payments on dollar-denominated debt.

From MarketWatch

I freely admit that in judging “Best Medicine,” my familiarity with “Doc Martin” puts me at a disadvantage — or an advantage, I suppose, depending on how you look at it.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• hinge on
• rest on
• revolve around