depended; depending; depends
1
a
: to be determined, based, or contingent (see contingent entry 1 sense 1)
Life depends on water.
Our plans depend on the weather.
the value of Y depends on X
b
—used to say that the answer to a question will be different in different situations
"Are you going to the party?" "I don't know. It depends."
2
: to be pending or undecided
… matters of greatest moment were depending …—John Milton
3
a
: to place reliance or trust
You can depend on me.
b
: to be dependent especially for financial support
Her family depends on her paycheck.
still depends on his parents
4
: to hang down
A star was depending from his neck.—Arnold Bennett
Cite this Entry
“Depend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depend. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.
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