- upon */*/*/
- UK [əˈpɒn] / US [əˈpɑn]
preposition
Collocations:
Upon is much more formal than on, but it can be used with the same meanings as the preposition on in the following cases: on/onto an object or surface: It fell upon the ground. supported by a part of your body: She fell down upon her knees. looking at something: She fixed her gaze upon me. happening immediately after: Report to the reception desk immediately upon arrival. affecting someone or something: attacks upon our homes
Upon can also be used instead of on after particular verbs: He congratulated me on/upon my success. ♦ They insisted on/upon seeing you.1) literary on on or onto somethingShadows were flickering upon the studio floor.
He believes we were put upon this earth for a purpose.
2) formal used after some verbs instead of "on" used after some verbs with the same meaning as "on"A police patrol happened upon a robbery in a bank yesterday.
They draw upon their experience to educate and guide new companies.
My whole future depended upon the decision of this one manager.
3) formal immediately after immediately after doing something or after something happensBarry had joined the army immediately upon leaving school.
Upon his release, Davis went immediately to his mother's.
4) happening soon if an event or time is upon you, it is going to happen very soonChristmas is almost upon us again.
5) used for emphasizing an amount used between two nouns that are the same for emphasizing that there is a large number of the thing that you are mentioningI've written to you, year upon year, and never heard from you.
We drove across mile upon mile of wide-open space.
English dictionary. 2014.