contingent

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

|Updated on: 19 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: contingent in a Sentence

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resentment of the people to whom he spoke, but his words were somehow tentative and contingent, as if they could be withdrawn on a month's notice.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

Usually, the option is contingent on whether your team benefited in the end.

— alejandro chacoff, The Atlantic, "Soccer Has No Interest in Fairness," 12 July 2018
The experience is not contingent upon the transparency of ingredients or methods, but rather the dedication of the specialist, the presentation of hard work, and the experience given to the spectator.

— ian frisch, Longreads, "Anthony Bourdain and the Missing Piece," 9 June 2018
Stopping their spread is really contingent on doing other things like pollen-proofing your home or designating your room as a no-pet zone.

— nina bahadur, SELF, "How Does Allergy-Proof Bedding Actually Work?," 8 June 2018
The actual amount of credits the company would receive is contingent upon the number of jobs created and the amount of capital investment during that period.

— rick barrett, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "J.W. Speaker, maker of motorcycle headlights, launches $46 million expansion in Germantown," 6 June 2018
The $320 million, available through Sept. 30, 2019, was contingent on the IRS submitting this spending plan to Congress.

— richard rubin, WSJ, "IRS to Spend Nearly $300 Million on IT in Tax Overhaul," 1 June 2018
Business is contingent, of course, on the New Jersey legislature’s approval of sports betting, which could come within the next week or so.

— ed barkowitz, Philly.com, "Former Revel Casino bringing in heavy hitter to run its sportsbook," 29 May 2018
That proposal also is contingent upon approval from HHS.

— shefali luthra, Washington Post, "Vermont Legislators Pass A Drug Importation Law. So What?," 22 May 2018
That proposal also is contingent upon approval from HHS.

— shefali luthra, Scientific American, "Vermont Legislators Pass Law Allowing Drug Imports," 19 May 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

Australia The travelling Socceroos contingent have been in exceptional form off the terraces this summer, belting out a series of witty chants throughout every one of their games in Russia.

— SI.com, "5 of the Best Fan Chants in Russia," 5 July 2018
The media contingent isn’t quite as big, maybe 30% smaller.

— john cherwa, latimes.com, "Did American Pharoah's 2015 Triple Crown win temper excitement for Justify's upcoming Belmont race?," 6 June 2018
The contingent of marchers in Sterling's Memorial Day parade made three stops along Route 14A, on May 20.

— denise coffey, Courant Community, "Sterling Honors Fallen Veterans At Memorial Day Parade," 30 May 2018
Noncontingent offers An offer that isn’t contingent on the positive outcomes of a home inspection or appraisal, or on the sale of a buyer’s current home, may be more attractive to sellers.

— elizabeth renter, USA TODAY, "Love letters, contingencies, cash: Home sellers getting buyers to jump through hoops," 19 May 2018
Meanwhile, Labour’s softening line on Brexit creates the prospect of splitting the Conservatives, whose contingent of Remain voters is roughly equal to Labour’s Leave minority.

— The Economist, "Master of (almost) all he surveysThe battle of ideas within the Labour Party," 1 Mar. 2018
Prior to last year, the last time a vacancy occurred among Alabama's U.S. Senate contingent was in 1978.That year, Gov. George Wallace appointed Maryon Allen to the Senate after her husband, Jim, died suddenly in office.

— john sharp, AL.com, "Alabama Legislature pitches election reform measures following Senate election stunner," 11 Feb. 2018
The 14-member Alaska contingent will be the state's biggest ever and includes two athletes who will compete for countries other than the United States — Yeaton and Keegan Messing, a member of Team Canada.

— beth bragg, Anchorage Daily News, "Seven more Alaska cross-country skiers are headed to the Olympics," 26 Jan. 2018
For the large contingent of Northeast travelers coming to escape the snow and cold, Sunday’s event will likely be a welcomed, but nonetheless warm and humid, race.

— susan miller degnan, miamiherald, "How to survive Sunday’s windy, warm and possibly rainy Miami Marathon," 26 Jan. 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