contingent

[ kuhn-tin-juhnt ]

adjective

1. 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.

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. whenpostpositive, often foll by on or upon 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

Derived Forms

• conˈtingently, adverb

Other Words From

• con·tingent·ly adverb
• noncon·tingent adjective
• noncon·tingent·ly adverb
• uncon·tingent adjective
• uncon·tingent·ly 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

Black Americans, as a people, deeply understand and carry this history and lived experience and the knowledge and burden of democracy as contingent and imperiled in our collective bodies, psyches, and memories.

From Salon

Whether this spurs Hamas to get more serious in cease-fire negotiations—or, for that matter, whether the Doha contingent has any influence over the militia’s fighters in Gaza—is hard to say.

From Slate

The youngest contingent was also an emotional moment, in a different way from the ranks of grey-haired ex-military marchers.

From BBC

For them, the idea of liberty pointed to the tangible abolition of slavery and racial hierarchy; reform represented the persistent human action required to achieve liberty through moral, social and political processes; and progression suggests a practical commitment to the possibility of effecting positive political change and acknowledges the potential for future improvement to be contingent rather than inevitable.

From Salon

Eddy said: "He was required to board the Empire Windrush, which was a ship taking a large contingent of demobilised Caribbean men back home," and later his father helped the men find work in Britain.

From BBC

Related Words

• batch
• detachment