contingent

American  

[kuhn-tin-juhnt] / kənˈtɪn dʒənt /

adjective

1. dependent for existence, occurrence, character, etc., on something not yet certain; conditional (often followed by on orupon ).

   Our plans are contingent on the weather.

2. liable to happen or not; uncertain; possible.

   They had to plan for contingent expenses.

3. happening by chance or without known cause; fortuitous; accidental.

   contingent occurrences.

4. Logic. (of a proposition) neither logically necessary nor logically impossible, so that its truth or falsity can be established only by sensory observation.

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noun

1. a quota of troops furnished.

2. any one of the representative groups composing an assemblage.

   the New York contingent at a national convention.

3. the proportion that falls to one as a share to be contributed or furnished.

4. something contingent; contingency.

contingent British  

/ kənˈtɪndʒənt /

adjective

1. dependent on events, conditions, etc, not yet known; conditional

2. logic (of a proposition) true under certain conditions, false under others; not necessary

3. (in systemic grammar) denoting contingency (sense 4)

4. metaphysics (of some being) existing only as a matter of fact; not necessarily existing

5. happening by chance or without known cause; accidental

6. that may or may not happen; uncertain

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noun

1. a part of a military force, parade, etc

2. a representative group distinguished by common origin, interests, etc, that is part of a larger group or gathering

3. a possible or chance occurrence

Other Word Forms

• contingently
  adverb
• noncontingent
  adjective
• noncontingently
  adverb
• uncontingent
  adjective
• uncontingently
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of contingent

First recorded in 1350–1400; late Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin contingent-, stem of contingēns “touching together,” present participle of contingere “to touch together, come into contact with,” equivalent to con- con- + -tingere, variant stem of tangere “to touch”

Explanation

The adjective contingent can be used to describe something that can occur only when something else happens first. Making money is contingent on finding a good-paying job. When an event or situation is contingent, it means that it depends on some other event or fact. For example, sometimes buying a new house has to be contingent upon someone else buying your old house first. That way you don't end up owning two houses! As a noun, contingent means either "a group of soldiers that joins a larger force," like a contingent of British troops sent to assist American soldiers, or "a group of people with something in common," like the contingent of folks dressed as Batman at Comic-Con.

Example Sentences

The remaining $35 billion was contingent on “certain conditions.”

From Barron's • May 18, 2026

President Trump is in China with a contingent of high-profile business leaders, including tech billionaires Elon Musk and Jensen Huang.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

The Build Back Pali grant — which was contingent on Blanck signing a lease in the Palisades — covered his deposit and several months of rent, he said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

These sources were reported as saying that many of the terms laid out in the memo would be contingent on a final agreement being reached.

From BBC • May 11, 2026

Vincent is grateful for Theo’s intervention and Uncle Cor’s help, but he tells Theo that this cannot be contingent on his leaving Sien.

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman

Related Words

• batch
• detachment