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Added 9 October 2026

contingent

/kənˈtɪn.d͡ʒənt/ noun

Latin root: contingens Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about contingent at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A gathering of persons representative of some larger group.
each nation sent a contingent of athletes to the Olympics
A temporary military unit.
the peacekeeping force includes one British contingent

adjective

Possible but not certain to occur.
they had to plan for contingent expenses
Being determined by conditions or circumstances that follow.
arms sales contingent on the approval of congress
Uncertain because of uncontrollable circumstances.
the results of confession were not contingent, they were certain

Origin

From Middle English, from Old French contingent (whence con- and -ent), from Medieval Latin contingens (“possible, contingent”), present participle of contingere (“to touch, meet, attain to, happen”), from com- (“together”) + tangere (“to touch”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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