contingent

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

Updated on: 11 Dec 2017

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and resentment of the people to whom he spoke, but his words were somehow tentative and contingent, as if they could be withdrawn on a month's notice.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

When May first suggested in March that ongoing counter-terrorism cooperation would be contingent on a good deal, she was accused of blackmail.

— robert hutton, Bloomberg.com, "U.K. Will Offer Troops to Support EU Operations After Brexit," 12 Sep. 2017
As a result, our continent's ability to partake in the digital revolution is contingent upon the strength of our human capital and our leadership.

— seni sulyman, CNN, "Why Africa is the key to advancing human potential," 10 Oct. 2017
SoftBank has held discussions to buy a significant chunk of Uber’s stock, but the deal was contingent on changing the company’s governance structure so that some of its early investors would have an incentive to sell.

— katie benner and mike isaac, New York Times, "Uber’s Board Approves Changes to Reshape Company’s Power Balance," 3 Oct. 2017
Northbrook Village President Sandy Frum said her support is not contingent on the two years requirement.

— irv leavitt, chicagotribune.com, "Aircraft parts business looks for tax break in move from Glenview to Northbrook," 25 Sep. 2017
LendingTree is paying $12 million in cash at closing for Snap Capital and up to an additional $9 million in contingent payments.

— rick rothacker, charlotteobserver, "Charlotte-based LendingTree continues its acquisition spree," 19 Sep. 2017
This is almost solely contingent on whether or not the New England Patriots decide to bring back Malcolm Butler.

— ryan wooden, ajc, "Vontae Davis will make a lot of sense for 3 teams during 2018 free agency," 9 Nov. 2017
But where guns are concerned, there are no devils and no angels; only people, who shoot out of rage, despair or some terrible hybrid of desperate, contingent emotions that receive no sanction, or disavowal, from on high.

— sarah jones, New Republic, "Why Republicans Blamed the Las Vegas Massacre on “Evil”," 9 Oct. 2017
Based on the fulfillment of certain milestones, Merck may make additional contingent payments of up to 349 million euros ($418 million).

— polina marinova, Fortune, "Term Sheet — Friday, September 8," 8 Sep. 2017

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

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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

Chiming in for the adult contingent in the room, Fed officials have repeated their warnings that the current tax proposal could ultimately be harmful to the economy.

— bess levin, The Hive, "Steve Mnuchin Says It’s Basically Impossible Not to Cut Taxes on the Rich," 18 Oct. 2017
Grand federalist schemes, such as replacing the British contingent of European parliamentarians with transnational lists presented to all EU voters, will go nowhere (for now).

— The Economist, "Charlemagne: The ghost at the banquetBritain’s planned departure is already changing Brussels," 2 Nov. 2017
Lamontray Harris poured in 15 points to pace Morehead State, who had a strong contingent of fans to see coach and former Kentucky staffer Preston Spradlin's return to Lexington.

— fletcher page, The Courier-Journal, "UK Basketball | Kentucky Wildcats pull away from Morehead State in exhibition win," 30 Oct. 2017
Most important, Gardiner and every member of his touring contingent treated each of the operas as a living music drama.

— john von rhein, chicagotribune.com, "Gardiner's Monteverdi cycle concludes with triumphant 'Poppea'," 16 Oct. 2017
The order came after the U.S. last week began withdrawing about half of its contingent in Havana, leaving only emergency personnel.

— felicia schwartz, WSJ, "U.S. Orders Cuba to Cut Embassy Staff in Washington," 3 Oct. 2017
The film centers on Churchill’s boisterous resistance to the invading German armies, and the disquiet that provokes within his party, which still has a substantial contingent hoping to sue for peace.

— david sims, The Atlantic, "How This Year's Oscar Contenders Are Tackling Trump," 20 Sep. 2017
But Ohtani is healthy again and throwing heat — as high as 101 mph Tuesday in a game that was scouted by 32 representatives from 16 teams — including general manager Jerry Dipoto leading a Mariners contingent.

— larry stone, The Seattle Times, "Mariners must have progressive plan to realize Japanese star Shohei Ohtani’s MLB dream," 14 Sep. 2017
That said, another contingent of Lana fans are hypothesizing that the wipe could actually be, well, a hack.

— brianna wiest, Teen Vogue, "Lana Del Rey’s Social Media Wipe Inspires Internet Theories," 5 Sep. 2017

Origin and Etymology of contingent

see ¹contingent

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1548

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