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

Language models aren’t appropriate tools for these critical tasks, and the viability of our financial markets depends on getting this right.

From The Wall Street Journal

The findings also point to a dramatic shift in behavior depending on how closely the chains are spaced.

From Science Daily

Any fresh moves into Venezuela, however, would “depend heavily on social, legal, and political conditions,” said Babin.

From MarketWatch

America’s long-term strength depends on educating our next generation of leaders with the knowledge, moral clarity and courage to speak the truth and faithfully advance the nation’s core values and founding ideals.

From The Wall Street Journal

Friends of the festival, depending on their level of membership, will be able to buy their tickets between Thursday and 24 February respectively.

From BBC

Related Words

• hinge on
• rest on
• revolve around