'Contingency' definitions:

Definition of 'contingency'

(from WordNet)
noun
A possible event or occurrence or result [syn: eventuality, contingency, contingence]
noun
The state of being contingent on something

Definition of 'Contingency'

From: GCIDE
  • Contingency \Con*tin"gen*cy\, n.; pl. Contingencies. [Cf. F. contingence.]
  • 1. Union or connection; the state of touching or contact. "Point of contingency." --J. Gregory. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. The quality or state of being contingent or casual; the possibility of coming to pass. [1913 Webster]
  • Aristotle says we are not to build certain rules on the contingency of human actions. --South. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. An event which may or may not occur; that which is possible or probable; a fortuitous event; a chance. [1913 Webster]
  • The remarkable position of the queen rendering her death a most important contingency. --Hallam. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. An adjunct or accessory. --Wordsworth. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'contingency'

From: Moby Thesaurus