contingent

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

Definition of contingent

1 : likely but not certain to happen : possible
2 : not logically necessary; especially : empirical
3a : happening by chance or unforeseen causesb : subject to chance or unseen effects : unpredictablec : intended for use in circumstances not completely foreseen contingent funds
4 : dependent on or conditioned by something else Payment is contingent on fulfillment of certain conditions. a plan contingent on the weather
5 : not necessitated : determined by free choice

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resentment of the people to whom he spoke, but his words were somehow tentative and contingent, as if they could be withdrawn on a month's notice.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

City manager James Grabowski told committee members in June that the agreement would be contingent on iMotorsports getting the Indian dealership.

— graydon megan, chicagotribune.com, "Elmhurst committee OKs $100,000 for motorcycle store, but not for restaurant," 11 July 2017
Left-hander Travis Wood is in line to make his first start of the season Sunday, moving lefty Matt Strahm to the bullpen, though that plan is contingent on bullpen usage over the next two days.

— rustin dodd and sam mcdowell, kansascity.com, "Royals’ Danny Duffy is likely to return on Tuesday as club tweaks starting rotation," 30 June 2017
This entire plan is contingent on approval from the IPS school board.

— arika herron, Indianapolis Star, "Here's what will happen with IPS high schools," 28 June 2017
In the rap game, success is contingent upon a slew of important factors -- namely, flow and delivery, versatility, consistency and stage presence, among other things.

— nerisha penrose, Billboard, "JAY-Z & More Rappers Who Have Changed Their Names Over the Years," 20 June 2017
And sure enough, nearly all of the 12 candidates in the current round of expansion are contingent on public resources.

— mark zeigler, sandiegouniontribune.com, "SoccerCity might be in jeopardy here, but not soccer," 16 June 2017
Polls have shown that Perriello has a slight lead in the race, but that lead may be contingent on unreliable pools of voters who usually sit primaries out.

— ryan nobles, CNN, "What to watch for in Virginia's primary election," 13 June 2017
The tax hike also would be contingent on voters next fall approving a constitutional amendment that forbids spending new transportation money on State Police operations.

— julia o'donoghue, NOLA.com, "Gradual increase in Louisiana gas tax might attract support, sponsor says," 24 May 2017
The deal also includes a contingent payment of as much as $100 million, subject to the development of the Rosebank field, Ineos said.

— rakteem katakey, Bloomberg.com, "Billionaire Ratcliffe Hunts Oil to Repeat Chemicals Empire," 24 May 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

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noun con·tin·gent \kən-ˈtin-jənt\

Definition of contingent

1 : something contingent (see ¹contingent) : contingency
2 : a representative group : delegation, detachment a diplomatic contingent

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

But predictably, another contingent has already vocally declared that the sci-fi series’s main character—a time-traveling alien who can appear as anything—simply cannot manifest mainly as a woman.

— laura bradley, HWD, "Shocker: Not Everyone Wants a Female Doctor Who, Jodie Whittaker Doesn’t Care," 17 July 2017
Pistons minority owner and Pistons and Palace Sports & Entertainment vice chairman Arn Tellem is expected to be part of the league’s contingent.

— vince ellis, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Pistons' Andre Drummond on roster for NBA Africa Game 2017," 13 July 2017
The Norris contingent, some of whom made the 2,200-mile journey from Newfoundland, did not have to wait long for NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to call Josh Norris to the podium.

— mark spezia, Detroit Free Press, "1st-round NHL draft pick Josh Norris taking big-play ability to U-M," 5 July 2017
Christie, who is heading into his final six months in office with approval ratings at an abysmal 15 percent, made supporting the $34.7 billion state budget contingent on the overhaul.

— CBS News, "Chris Christie defends going to closed beach during government shutdown," 3 July 2017
The 25-44 cohort was the next largest contingent, at a little over 23 percent of the total; 45- to 64-year-olds were 15.6 percent.

— bill dentzer, idahostatesman, "Idaho’s 65 and over population is booming. That’s going to cost us all more, but pay us more, too.," 2 July 2017
The agreement is contingent on Waste Management receiving state Department of Natural Resources approval for a 9 million cubic yard expansion of the Metro landfill.

— don behm, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District approves deal to buy landfill gas from Waste Management," 26 June 2017
By claiming that inflationary cosmology lies outside the scientific method, IS&L are dismissing the research of not only all the authors of this letter but also that of a substantial contingent of the scientific community.

— Scientific American, "Readers Respond to the February and March 2017 Issues," 26 June 2017
An alternative proposal that's been floated unofficially would see small contingents of Greek and Turkish troops deployed on the island after a deal, while intervention rights would be amended to remove any clause for unilateral action.

— ben rosen, The Christian Science Monitor, "Can a divided Cyprus finally be unified? Peace summit begins this week," 26 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of contingent

see ¹contingent

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1548

See Words from the same year

CONTINGENT Defined for English Language Learners

contingent

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adjective

Definition of contingent for English Language Learners

: depending on something else that might or might not happen

contingent

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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

CONTINGENT Defined for Kids

contingent

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

Definition of contingent for Students

: depending on something else that may or may not exist or occur Our trip is contingent on whether we can get tickets.

Law Dictionary

contingent

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

Legal Definition of contingent

1 : likely but not certain to happen — compare executory
2 : intended for use in circumstances not completely foreseen a contingent fund
3 : dependent on or conditioned by something else a contingent claim a legacy contingent on the marriage — compare vested