depend upon v 1: be contingent on; "The outcomes rides on the results of the election"; "Your grade will depends on your homework" [syn: {depend on}, {devolve on}, {depend upon}, {ride}, {turn on}, {hinge on}, {hinge upon}] 2: put trust in with confidence; "she is someone you can really rely on when times get rough"; "you can rely on his discretion" [syn: {depend on}, {depend upon}, {rely on}, {rely upon}]