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

contingents plural

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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• contingents
  plural

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

In addition to the cash consideration, Theravance shareholders will receive contingent value rights entitling them to 80% of net proceeds from any future license, divestiture or other monetization of ampreloxetine within the next 10 years.

From Barron's • Jun. 29, 2026

While that payout is contingent on Welltower’s stock continuing to climb, the magnitude of Mitra’s compensation is sparking a backlash.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 29, 2026

County dispatched a 73-person contingent to Venezuela, including search-and-rescue teams, canine units, doctors and structural experts, Marrone said in a telephone interview from California.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 26, 2026

A small but hearty contingent of New Zealand cheered.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2026

A few seedy giants of the Strong Arm, who had been captured by the Orkney faction, turned up and said their homage, but the Lancelot contingent was a spate.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

Related Words

• batch
• detachment