contingency

1. (uncountable) The quality of being contingent, of happening by chance.Synonyms: possibility, unpredictability, option, choice, alternative, possibility, contingencyAntonyms: inevitability, impossibilityuncountable

2. (countable) A possibility; something which may or may not happen. A chance occurrence, especially in finance, unexpected expenses.Examples: "There was also the imperative necessity of creating a reserve fund for unforeseen contingencies, and the question ever present was how was money to be found."; "In light of the inherent survival threat posed by zombies and absent specified guidance for detailed planning to address such a contingency, USSTRATCOM has taken the initiative to develop a JOPES Level 3 plan (CONPLAN) consistent with guidance derived from other specified planning efforts to ensure U.S. and Allied freedom of action from zombie domination."Synonyms: chance, contingency, contingent, eventuality, possibility, potentialityAntonyms: certainty, inevitability, possibility, sure thingcountable

3. (finance, countable) An amount of money which a party to a contract has to pay to the other party (usually the supplier of a major project to the client) if he or she does not fulfill the contract according to the specification.countable

4. (logic, countable) A statement which is neither a tautology nor a contradiction.countable