Icloud Drive basic question

Is it possible to store something in Icloud Drive ... but to not have it on my Ipad (or laptop or Iphone).

My concern is if its on my Ipad ... gets transferred to Icloud Drive and I then delete it from my Ipad it will then also be deleted from Icloud Drive.

In other words, is Icloud Drive always a means of syncing with a device ... or can it be used purely for storage?

Sorry to sound so confused. Thanks