contingency Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a possible event or occurrence or result
    eventuality; contingence.
  2. noun the state of being contingent on something

WordNet

Con*tin"gen*cy noun
Etymology
Cf. F. contingence.
Wordforms
plural Contingencies
Definitions
  1. Union or connection; the state of touching or contact. "Point of contingency." J. Gregory.
  2. The quality or state of being contingent or casual; the possibility of coming to pass.
    Aristotle says we are not to build certain rules on the contingency of human actions. South.
  3. An event which may or may not occur; that which is possible or probable; a fortuitous event; a chance.
    The remarkable position of the queen rendering her death a most important contingency. Hallam.
  4. An adjunct or accessory. Wordsworth.
  5. (Law) A certain possible event that may or may not happen, by which, when happening, some particular title may be affected. Syn. -- Casualty; accident; chance.

Webster 1913