contingency

con·tin·gen·cy

noun \kən-ˈtin-jən(t)-sē\

plural con·tin·gen·cies

Definition of CONTINGENCY

1

: the quality or state of being contingent

2

: a contingent event or condition: as a : an event (as an emergency) that may but is not certain to occur <trying to provide for every contingency> b : something liable to happen as an adjunct to or result of something else

Examples of CONTINGENCY

1. In making our business plans, we tried to prepare for any contingency that might hurt sales.
2. <agencies trying to provide for every contingency in a national emergency>
3. Nothing was overlooked. There was a fallback position, a fail-safe provision, for any contingency. —Gary Wills, New York Times Review of Books, 1 Apr. 2001
4. It is difficult to distinguish all the legitimate and illegitimate kinds and uses of information. Writing laws to regulate all contingencies is like trying to capture broth in a colander. —George F. Will, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 1987
5. Was it merely the expression of her displeasure at Miss Bart's neglect, or had disquieting rumours reached her? The latter contingency seemed improbable, yet Lily was not without a sense of uneasiness. —Edith Wharton, The House of Mirth, 1905

Origin of CONTINGENCY

(see ¹contingent)

First Known Use: 1561

Related to CONTINGENCY

Synonyms: case, contingence, event, contingent, eventuality, possibility

Related Words: probability; accident, chance, hap, hazard, risk

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See Synonym Discussion at juncture