contingency

/kənˈtɪndʒənsi/ noun [C]

Definition

› an event or situation that might happen in the future, especially one which could cause problems: a contingency fund/plan (= money or a plan that can be used if there are problems)

a contingency fee › money that lawyers (= people who advise people about the law and deal with legal situations) charge, which is a share of what the person they represent has won

(Definition of contingency noun from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)