contingent

/kənˈtɪndʒənt/

/kənˈtɪndʒɪnt/

Other forms: contingents; contingently

The adjective contingent can be used to describe something that can occur only when something else happens first. Making money is contingent on finding a good-paying job.

When an event or situation is contingent, it means that it depends on some other event or fact. For example, sometimes buying a new house has to be contingent upon someone else buying your old house first. That way you don't end up owning two houses! As a noun, contingent means either "a group of soldiers that joins a larger force," like a contingent of British troops sent to assist American soldiers, or "a group of people with something in common," like the contingent of folks dressed as Batman at Comic-Con.

Definitions of contingent

1. adjective

   determined by conditions or circumstances that follow
   “arms sales contingent on the approval of congress”

   synonyms: contingent on, contingent upon, dependant on, dependant upon, dependent on, dependent upon, depending on

   conditional

   imposing or depending on or containing a condition
2. adjective

   uncertain because of uncontrollable circumstances
   “"the results of confession were not contingent, they were certain"- George Eliot”

   synonyms:

   uncertain

   not certain to occur; not inevitable
3. adjective

   possible but not certain to occur
   “they had to plan for contingent expenses”

   synonyms:

   possible

   capable of happening or existing
4. noun

   a gathering of persons representative of some larger group
   “each nation sent a contingent of athletes to the Olympics”

   type of:

   assemblage, gathering

   a group of persons together in one place
5. noun

   a temporary military unit
   “the peacekeeping force includes one British contingent”

   synonyms: detail

   type of:

   force, military force, military group, military unit

   a unit that is part of some military service