contingent suggests possibility of happening but stresses uncertainty and dependence on other future events for existence or occurrence.

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 …

If something is contingent on something else, the first thing depends on the second in order to happen or exist.

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

1. dependent on something not yet certain; conditional: plans contingent on the weather. 2. liable to happen or not; uncertain; possible: contingent expenses. 3. happening by chance or without known …

There are 21 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word contingent, five of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

contingent on/upon sthThe contract is contingent on approval by the Board of Trustees. The contents of the prayer would be contingent upon the results of a vote that each respective school would hold. It's …