Definitions

1. noun

A situation or event that may occur or be considered in a particular plan or situation; a possible future event or circumstance.

“The company’s emergency plan included a contingency for a fire breaking out in the warehouse.”

2. noun

A set of circumstances that must be met or considered in order to take a particular course of action.

“The new policy’s contingency was that students had to meet a certain GPA threshold in order to be eligible for a scholarship.”

3. noun

A person or group of people who are responsible for responding to an emergency or unexpected event.

“The company’s emergency response team was part of its overall contingency plan.”

4. verb

To plan for or consider a possible future event or circumstance.

“The city officials contingency-planned for a possible natural disaster, building emergency shelters and stockpiling supplies.”