likely but not certain to happen;possible
depending upon sth
"each nation sent a contingent of athletes to the Olympics"
"the peacekeeping force includes one British contingent"
"they had to plan for contingent expenses"
"arms sales contingent on the approval of congress"
"the results of confession were not contingent, they were certain"
The results of confession were not contingent, they were certain.
出自: George Eliot