contingent

The definition of contingent is something that depends on something else happening, or something that is possible or by chance.

(adjective)

An example of contingent is the sale of one home going through after the buyer's house is sold; a contingent sale.

A contingent is defined as a condition that needs to be met in order for something else to happen.

(noun)

An example of a contingent is a clear termite inspection needed in order for a home sale to close escrow.

See contingent in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

Obsolete touching; tangential
that may or may not happen; possible
happening by chance; accidental; fortuitous
unpredictable because dependent on chance
dependent (on or upon something uncertain); conditional
Logic true only under certain conditions or in certain contexts; not always or necessarily true
Philos. not subject to determinism; free

Origin: L contingens, prp. of contingere, to touch: see contact

noun

Related Forms:

See contingent in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Liable to occur but not with certainty; possible: “All salaries are reckoned on contingent as well as on actual services” (Ralph Waldo Emerson).
Dependent on conditions or occurrences not yet established; conditional: arms sales contingent on the approval of Congress. See Synonyms at dependent.
Happening by chance or accident; fortuitous. See Synonyms at accidental.
Logic True only under certain conditions; not necessarily or universally true: a contingent proposition.

noun