contingent

[ kuhn-tin-juhnt ]

/ kənˈtɪn dʒənt /

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See synonyms for contingent on Thesaurus.com

adjective

dependent for existence, occurrence, character, etc., on something not yet certain; conditional (often followed by on or upon): Our plans are contingent on the weather.

liable to happen or not; uncertain; possible: They had to plan for contingent expenses.

happening by chance or without known cause; fortuitous; accidental: contingent occurrences.

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

noun

a quota of troops furnished.

any one of the representative groups composing an assemblage: the New York contingent at a national convention.

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

something contingent; contingency.

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Origin of contingent

1350–1400; late Middle English (present participle) (<Middle French ) <Latin contingent- (stem of contingēns, present participle of contingere), equivalent to con-con- + ting-, variant stem of tangere to touch + -ent--ent

OTHER WORDS FROM contingent

con·tin·gent·ly, adverbnon·con·tin·gent, adjectivenon·con·tin·gent·ly, adverbun·con·tin·gent, adjective

un·con·tin·gent·ly, adverb

Words nearby contingent

contingency fund, contingency plan, contingency reserve, contingency table, contingency tax, contingent, contingent beneficiary, contingent fee, contingent liability, contingent worker, continual

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use contingent in a sentence

The problem is that ethical truths are necessarily true, and you can’t account for necessary truths without in some way going beyond the contingent states of the physical world.
The Universe Knows Right from Wrong - Issue 89: The Dark Side|Philip Goff|September 9, 2020|Nautilus
It’s home to many of the most rabid fan bases in the country, an especially vocal contingent of college football tribalism unafraid to announce, with frequency, that the sport means more here.
Football Is Coming To Three Of The Power Five Conferences. COVID-19 Is Already There.|Josh Planos|September 8, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
The largest contingent hailed from the SEC, with 10 of the 14 member schools choosing not to reveal the number of positive results.
Football Is Coming To Three Of The Power Five Conferences. COVID-19 Is Already There.|Josh Planos|September 8, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
This was to some degree contingent upon retailer safety precautions.
A Corona Xmas: Why physical stores will power online shopping this holiday season|Greg Sterling|September 4, 2020|Search Engine Land

The main Crusader contingent, however, was able to take advantage of transport ships that sailed directly from Europe to Palestine.
History of the Crusades: Origins, Politics, and Crusaders|Dattatreya Mandal|March 23, 2020|Realm of History
Former Texas governor Ann Richards was a big fan of the Texas Rangers, a contingent of which was her protective detail.
My Love Letter to the Stetson|Mark McKinnon|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Counter-protestors marched to confront the pro-police contingent, separated by barricades and uniformed officers.
NYC’s Garner Protesters vs. Pro-Cop Protesters|Jacob Siegel|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“The union did not organize any official contingent to participate in the protests,” Kim said.
The High-Priced Union Rep Charged With Attacking a Cop|Jacob Siegel|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In 2010 Cuba provided the largest contingent of medical staff during the aftermath of the huge earthquake that shook Haiti.
The Dark Side of Cuba’s Ebola Economy|James Bloodworth|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A notably large Irish contingent took part in the infamous draft riots because they did not want to compete for jobs with blacks.
This Week's Riots Are Part of America's Long History of Racial Rage|Sharon Adarlo|November 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A small contingent of the members hurried off to applaud the successful comic opera of the hour.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
I met him striding toward the building that seemed to be a clearing house for the official contingent.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
A claim barred by the statute of limitations is not provable, nor is a contingent liability.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
They encountered a score of ruffians who had cut themselves adrift from the Gwalior contingent.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
Blazer contingent has moved up closer; they pretend to recognise me as "Cousin Bill."
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 93, September 24, 1887|Various

British Dictionary definitions for contingent

contingent

/ (kənˈtɪndʒənt) /

adjective

(when postpositive, often foll by on or upon) dependent on events, conditions, etc, not yet known; conditional

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

(in systemic grammar) denoting contingency (sense 4)

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

happening by chance or without known cause; accidental

that may or may not happen; uncertain

noun

a part of a military force, parade, etc

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

a possible or chance occurrence

Derived forms of contingent

contingently, adverb

Word Origin for contingent

C14: from Latin contingere to touch, fall to one's lot, befall; see also contact

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

contingent

Origin of contingent

OTHER WORDS FROM contingent

Words nearby contingent

Words related to contingent

How to use contingent in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for contingent

Derived forms of contingent

Word Origin for contingent