contingency fund

American  

Or contingent fund

noun

Accounting.

1. money or securities set aside to cover unexpected conditions or losses in business, usually supplementing a contingency reserve.

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Etymology

Origin of contingency fund

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Since the contingency fund wouldn’t cover the full amount, he ordered it to use another source of money to make up the shortfall.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 6, 2025

“We are digging into a contingency fund that is supposed to be for emergencies,” she said.

From Salon • Nov. 4, 2025

That’s because the federal contingency fund supporting normal WIC operations will likely run out in a matter of days — pushing states to rely on their own money or carryover funds.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 27, 2023

The budget adds $20.2 million to the county’s contingency fund, bringing that total to $45.3 million.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2022

The party said it will force a vote in parliament on Tuesday, which will call for the government to scrap business rates and create its suggested £600m contingency fund.

From BBC • Jan. 9, 2022