contingent

[kuhn-tin-juhnt]

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.

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

/ 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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of contingent¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of contingent¹

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

Example Sentences

The Guardsmen were part of the contingent of troops deployed to Washington over the summer to support law enforcement.

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A growing contingent of officials has voiced opposition to or concern about cutting further.

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Another contingent, mostly composed of some of the regional reserve-bank presidents with rotating seats on the Fed’s voting committee, sees greater danger in inflation.

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A sizable contingent, mostly reserve bank presidents, made clear their opposition to a third cut in December.

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On top of this, "the RSF has from the start of the conflict, recruited a contingent of foreign mercenaries," said Thierry Vircoulon, an associate researcher at the French Institute of International Relations.

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Related Words

• batch 
• detachment