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

See Examples For:

contingent contingents

Perhaps we will hear from him at LIV's event at the JCB Club in Staffordshire later this week, when the reporting contingent will be significantly smaller.

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026

As it backed into a gate at the rear of the empty museum, the truck was greeted by a handful of staff and a small media contingent including AFP journalists.

From Barron's ● Jul. 10, 2026

It also expects to receive up to an additional $150 million by Sept. 30, 2027, including $30 million that is contingent on certain criteria.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026

At the time, they said the potential consideration was £1.6 billion, but had not detailed the composition of the transaction, including the contingent cash and the inclusion of Sky’s studio arm.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 6, 2026

A contingent of Howards then went to see Mrs. Turner, the mother of Will Turner and Little Bob, to ask for a truce.

From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell

Estonia this month hosted an annual exercise, dubbed Spring Storm, with about 12,000 troops from across NATO, including contingents from the U.K. and France.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 28, 2026

The firing on Wednesday of two Type-88 missiles formed part of exercises in the Philippines between US, Australian, Filipino and Japanese troops as well as contingents from France, New Zealand and Canada.

From Barron's ● May 7, 2026

The former official who spoke anonymously recalled how the Obamas were particularly struck by the camel-mounted contingents - a moment that stayed with them long after the formal ceremonies ended.

From BBC ● Jan. 24, 2026

In Los Angeles this summer, contingents of heavily armed, masked agents began chasing down and arresting day laborers, street vendors and car wash workers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2025

The hundreds of Fruit of Islam men represented contingents which had arrived early that morning, from their Temples in the nearest cities.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

Related Words

• batch
• detachment