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.

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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

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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

“First Amendment protection that rises and falls depending on how upset students become at a professor’s message is little protection at all,” Judge Bress writes.

From The Wall Street Journal

Aluminum's strength depends heavily on its microstructure, particularly the size and density of tiny internal features called "precipitates."

From Science Daily

Part B beneficiaries with individual incomes higher than $106,000 will pay more, according to Medicare officials; the exact amount depends on income.

From MarketWatch

Gallina: I believe the United States’s strategic advantage depends on vibrant private sector innovation.

From The Wall Street Journal

Of course, it also depends on how many siblings are in your husband’s family; either way, you will eventually need a plan.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• hinge on
• rest on
• revolve around