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contingency

contingency

99 7.1
A possible problem or event that people must prepare for
  • noun
  • /kənˈtɪn.dʒən.si/
translation icon : contingencia
  • Before launching the event, we need to consider potential contingency scenarios that may arise.
  • a contingency plan
  • contingency planning
  • a contingency fee

So the Pentagon has contingency plans for those things.

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Examples

  • Did you also have a contingency plan in the case that it didn't work out?

  • You do have a contingency plan, don't you, sir?

  • Two, would there be any contingency plans for something like that?

  • Even so, we ought to have a contingency plan.

  • There is no contingency plan for this sort of thing.

  • We planned for this contingency.

  • So the Pentagon has contingency plans for those things.

  • They are grouped to cover every possible contingency.

  • All were practiced; all had a reason; the contingencies were covered efficiently and professionally.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • The company has developed a contingency plan to address any unexpected issues during the project.

Synonyms

event
vscontingency
507 1.0

A possible situation that affects what people do

is more about conditions depending on other factors and possible problems
scenario
vscontingency
507 4.3

A description of possible events used to plan for different outcomes

is a single conditional situation implying dependence or possible problems rather than a sequence
eventuality
vscontingency
16 6.5

A possible future event or outcome

is more focused on dependence and risk rather than mere future possibility
contingence
vscontingency
  • Archaic
9.6

A possible future event that may happen by chance

is conditional on other factors and often implies potential problems

Compounds

contingency fee
  • Specialized
2 6.3

A payment to a lawyer only if the client wins the case

contingency procedure
  • Specialized
6.2

A plan of steps to follow if something goes wrong

How Likely

certainty
  • Literature
202 3.4
probability
473 3.6
contingency
99 7.1
possibility
2.0

Surface Forms

contingency singular
contingencies plural

Morphology

contingency = contingent (transparent) = conting + ency

Formed by standard nominalization of the adjective 'contingent' with the suffix '-ency', so the noun's meaning (a possible event or state depending on conditions) is directly related to 'contingent'.

Etymology

Contingency comes from the Latin root tangere, which meant 'to touch', and it is related to the everyday word contact. A helpful image is that a contingency is something that 'touches' your plans only if other things happen, so you make a plan for it just in case. That's why a contingency is a possible event you prepare for because it depends on other things.