contingent

adjective con·tin·gent \ kən-ˈtin-jənt \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of contingent

1 : dependent on or conditioned by something else

Payment is contingent on fulfillment of certain conditions.

a plan contingent on the weather

2 : likely but not certain to happen : possible

3 : not logically necessary; especially : empirical

4 a : happening by chance or unforeseen causes

b : subject to chance or unseen effects : unpredictable

c : intended for use in circumstances not completely foreseen

contingent funds

5 : not necessitated : determined by free choice

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contingently

adverb

See contingent defined for English-language learners

See contingent defined for kids

Examples of contingent in a Sentence

The isolation and co-optation of the capitalist classes in Germany meant that liberty as an ideal had no contingent link with capitalism, as had happened in Western Europe. —Orlando Patterson, New Republic, 8 Nov. 1999
He knows that the throngs cheering for him today will be cheering for someone else tomorrow, that enthusiasm is fickle, that real support for someone like him always has something completely contingent about it. —Andrew Sullivan, New Republic, 8 July 1996
Clearly the President was chastened by the sorrow and resentment of the people to whom he spoke, but his words were somehow tentative and contingent, as if they could be withdrawn on a month's notice. —Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, July 1992
Every undogmatic historian is aware of the multitude of contingent events that entered into the victory of the Bolshevik revolution. —Sidney Hook, Revolution, Reform & Social Justice, 1975
If the Sovereigns would grant him, contingent on his success, such rank, titles, and property that he and his issue could hold up their heads with the Spanish nobility, well and good … —Samuel Eliot Morison, The European Discovery of America, 1974

Recent Examples of contingent from the Web

The approval on April 5 was contingent upon the owner agreeing that there would be no semitrailer parking on the second parcel and that an access easement be granted to the second lot from the hotel lot.

— karen caffarini, Post-Tribune, "Truck parking ban key to Key West Inn land sale for Hobart planners," 9 Apr. 2018
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders suggested Friday that a meeting between Trump and Kim was still contingent on those unspecified conditions.

— jim michaels, USA TODAY, "Trump-Kim summit: Will it happen and other key questions," 11 Mar. 2018
The decision to come to Scottsdale was contingent upon the restaurant's ability to source the same meat and seafood used at the Chicago original, Pisor said.

— dominic armato, azcentral, "Chicago's Maple & Ash will bring signature steaks, sass to Scottsdale," 27 Mar. 2018
The listing was contingent upon him getting elected, Stewart noted.

— russell blair, courant.com, "Airbnb Pulls Candidate's Listing For Connecticut Governor's Mansion," 26 Mar. 2018
The plan is contingent upon Musk remaining CEO or becoming executive chairman and chief product officer.

— nathan bomey, USA TODAY, "Billions for Elon Musk? Tesla investors are OK with pay plan," 21 Mar. 2018
Others have said that Hamad pulled out because his funding was contingent on separate financing with the Chinese insurance fund Anbang, which fell through.

— michael kranish, Washington Post, "Kushner Companies confirms meeting with Qatar on financing," 19 Mar. 2018
The plan is contingent on Musk remaining at the company, though not necessarily as CEO, and meeting a series of milestones based on either revenue or profit.

— russ mitchell, latimes.com, "Elon Musk's $55-billion Tesla pay plan: How much motivation does a man need?," 16 Mar. 2018
His plan is contingent on using Texas Lottery money.

— matthew martinez, star-telegram, "‘I need a college degree to make this?’ asks Arizona teacher who posted salary online | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 15 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'contingent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of contingent

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin contingent-, contingens, present participle of contingere to have contact with, befall, from com- + tangere to touch — more at ²tangent

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of contingent

accidental, fortuitous, casual, contingent mean not amenable to planning or prediction. accidental stresses chance.

- any resemblance to actual persons is entirely accidental

fortuitous so strongly suggests chance that it often connotes entire absence of cause.

- a series of fortuitous events

casual stresses lack of real or apparent premeditation or intent.

- a casual encounter with a stranger

contingent suggests possibility of happening but stresses uncertainty and dependence on other future events for existence or occurrence.

- the contingent effects of the proposed law

contingent

noun

Definition of contingent

1 : a representative group : delegation, detachment

a diplomatic contingent

2 : something contingent (see ¹contingent) : contingency

See contingent defined for English-language learners

Examples of contingent in a Sentence

Hollywood, Madison Avenue, the FCC, and a growing contingent in corporate America: It's hard to imagine a more formidable alliance pushing segregated television. —Tamar Jacoby, New Republic, 24 Jan. 2000
A Maori contingent, unable to face the intensity of the Turkish fire, sought shelter in a nearby gully. —Martin Gilbert, The First World War, 1994
But just because we banned it [DDT] domestically, under pressure from the bird-watching contingent … it doesn't necessarily follow that the rest of the world was about to jump on the bandwagon. —T. Coraghessan Boyle, Harper's, April 1993
The group that makes up the largest contingent of voters in this area is the elderly.
A contingent of reporters waited in front of the court for the defendant to appear.
A British contingent was sent to assist the security forces.

Recent Examples of contingent from the Web

The swap is contingent on the team landing a Major League Soccer franchise.

— cameron knight, Cincinnati.com, "Pro-stadium Jeff Pastor is a 'no' vote on FC Cincinnati plan without written West End deal," 11 Apr. 2018
The deal is contingent on the minor league team getting an invitation to join Major League Soccer.

— Fox News, "Cincinnati schools OK land swap with pro soccer team," 11 Apr. 2018
Celta already have duo Daniel Wass and Pione Sisto on their books and may be looking to further their Danish contingent.

— SI.com, "Celta Vigo Reportedly Interested in Signing Huddersfield Town Midfielder This Summer," 11 Apr. 2018
The standoff ended after Paul Lokech, who leads a Ugandan contingent of the African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia, brokered a deal between Mr. Jawari and Mr. Mohamed to talk through the dispute.

— jina moore, New York Times, "Crisis Averted in Somalia’s Parliament, but Tensions Simmer," 4 Apr. 2018
The 1,600 patrons inside the Giant Center were treated to a lively finish, and although Lincoln lost, its contingent of fans showered the Railsplitters with applause.

— aaron carter, Philly.com, "Roman Catholic wins its third PIAA state championship in four years," 28 Mar. 2018
However, while the law applies to all 50 states, the federal statute is contingent on matching state laws in order for local officials and judges to enforce the ban.

— kimberlee kruesi, idahostatesman, "House votes to let domestic abusers keep their gun rights in Idaho | Idaho Statesman," 6 Mar. 2018
Dissen is from West Virginia and has friends in Charlotte’s big West Virginia contingent, including his grade-school best friend, real estate developer Beau McIntosh.

— kathleen purvis, charlotteobserver, "Here’s a first look at uptown’s most exciting new chef and his food | Charlotte Observer," 6 Mar. 2018
Almost immediately, backlash came from a small but impassioned therapy contingent, willing to devote the bulk of its lobbying resources to this one issue.

— Washington Post, "Tucked into the budget deal, long-awaited gifts to some health-care providers," 6 Mar. 2018

Origin and Etymology of contingent

see ¹contingent

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1548

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

contingent Synonyms

Synonyms

delegacy, delegation;

Related Words

embassy, legation, mission;

band, company, crew, detachment, gang, outfit, party, squad, team;

CONTINGENT Defined for English Language Learners

contingent

adjective

Definition of contingent for English Language Learners

: depending on something else that might or might not happen

contingent

noun

Definition of contingent for English Language Learners

: a group of people who go to a place together, do something together, or share some quality, interest, etc.
: a group of soldiers who come from a particular army and are working together with soldiers from other armies