Refers to counting on someone or something for support, help, or reliability. Often used in phrases like 頼りになる (reliable) or 頼りがない (unreliable, helpless).
He is a truly reliable person.
この地図だけが頼りだ。
This map is my only guide.
She came to Tokyo alone, relying on her older sister for support.
On the mountain path, the old map was our only guide.
dependable; reliable