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”

Example Sentences

The ECB contingent outlined what they are looking for in future England and England Lions players.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

Apellis stockholders will also receive a contingent value right for each share they own.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

Apellis stockholders will also receive a contingent value right that entitles them to an additional $2-a-share payout, dependent upon annual global net sales thresholds being met for Syfovre.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

It’s paying $38.00 in cash per share, a 38% premium over Monday’s closing price of $27.58, in addition to one contingent value right up to $9.00 based on three milestones.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

As it turned out, the first school I visited, the Sarah Bonnell School for girls, had a large contingent of Muslim students.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad

Related Words

• batch
• detachment