contingency

[ kuhn-tin-juhn-see ]

noun

, plural con·tin·gen·cies.

1. dependence on chance or on the fulfillment of a condition; uncertainty; fortuitousness:

   Nothing was left to contingency.

2. a contingent event; a chance, accident, or possibility conditional on something uncertain:

   He was prepared for every contingency.

   Synonyms: predicament, likelihood, emergency

3. something incidental to a thing.

contingency

/ kənˈtɪndʒənsɪ /

noun

1. 1. a possible but not very likely future event or condition; eventuality
   2. ( as modifier )

      a contingency plan

2. something dependent on a possible future event
3. a fact, event, etc, incidental to or dependent on something else
4. in systemic grammar
   1. modification of the meaning of a main clause by use of a bound clause introduced by a binder such as if, when, though, or since Compare adding
   2. ( as modifier )

      a contingency clause

5. logic
   1. the state of being contingent
   2. a contingent statement
6. dependence on chance; uncertainty
7. statistics
   1. the degree of association between theoretical and observed common frequencies of two graded or classified variables. It is measured by the chi-square test
   2. ( as modifier )

      the contingency coefficient

      a contingency table

Word History and Origins

Origin of contingency¹

First recorded in 1555–65; conting(ent) + -ency

Example Sentences

During Trump’s previous term, advocates for immigrants held frequent “know your rights” sessions and encouraged families to establish contingency plans.

From Los Angeles Times

Some clients are ready to leave the country, while others are looking for a contingency plan in case their preferred presidential candidate loses.

From Los Angeles Times

The Dodgers did begin the night with some contingency plans.

From Los Angeles Times

The prospect of losing disaster aid has state officials and politicians mulling contingency plans ahead of next week’s election.

From Los Angeles Times

Fishermen have been warned against venturing into the sea and contingency plans have been made for Paradip port in Odisha to ensure safety of the staff and people living nearby.

From BBC

Related Words

• emergency
• eventuality
• exigency
• probability