Meaning & Definition of Contingent in English

1. A gathering of persons representative of some larger group

• "Each nation sent a contingent of athletes to the olympics"

2. A temporary military unit

• "The peacekeeping force includes one british contingent"

1. Possible but not certain to occur

• "They had to plan for contingent expenses"

2. Determined by conditions or circumstances that follow

• "Arms sales contingent on the approval of congress"

3. Uncertain because of uncontrollable circumstances

• "The results of confession were not contingent, they were certain"- george eliot