contingent

UK: /kənˈtɪndʒ^ənt/ US: /kənˈtɪndʒənt/ ,(kən tin′jənt)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

con•tin•gent /kənˈtɪndʒənt/   adj. [be + ~ + on]

1. dependent on something else;
   conditional:
   The plans for an outdoor wedding were contingent on the weather.

n. [countable]

2. a group of soldiers, ships, etc., assembled to help a larger force:
   His contingent was sent to Saudi Arabia.
3. any one of the groups that make up a larger group:
   The gay and lesbian contingent of the parade was finally allowed to march.

con•tin•gent•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

con•tin•gent  (kən tin′jənt), adj. 

1. dependent for existence, occurrence, character, etc., on something not yet certain;
   conditional (often fol. by on or upon):
   Our plans are contingent on the weather.
2. liable to happen or not;
   uncertain;
   possible:
   They had to plan for contingent expenses.
3. happening by chance or without known cause;
   fortuitous;
   accidental:
   contingent occurrences.
4. Philosophy [Logic.] (of a proposition) neither logically necessary nor logically impossible, so that its truth or falsity can be established only by sensory observation.

n. 

5. a quota of troops furnished.
6. any one of the representative groups composing an assemblage:
   the New York contingent at a national convention.
7. the proportion that falls to one as a share to be contributed or furnished.
8. something contingent;
   contingency.

• Latin contingent- (stem of contingēns, present participle of contingere), equivalent. to con- con- + ting-, variant stem of tangere to touch + -ent- -ent
• Middle French)
• late Middle English (present participle) (1350–1400

con•tin′gent•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

contingent / kənˈtɪndʒənt/ adjective

1. when postpositive, often followed by on or upon: dependent on events, conditions, etc, not yet known; conditional
2. (of a proposition) true under certain conditions, false under others; not necessary
3. (in systemic grammar) denoting contingency (sense 4)
4. (of some being) existing only as a matter of fact; not necessarily existing
5. happening by chance or without known cause; accidental
6. that may or may not happen; uncertain

noun

1. a part of a military force, parade, etc
2. a representative group distinguished by common origin, interests, etc, that is part of a larger group or gathering
3. a possible or chance occurrence

Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin contingere to touch, fall to one's lot, befall; see also contact

conˈtingently adverb