contingency

noun | \ kən-ˈtin-jən-sē \ | con·tin·gen·cy
  1. : the quality or state of being contingent

    a : an event that may but is not certain to occur a contingency that made performance under the contract impossible

    b : something likely to come about as an adjunct to or result of something else; specifically : contingency fee at fee 2 whether a case is on a contingency or billed at an hourly rate —D. R. Frederico : contingency fee at fee 2 whether a case is on a contingency or billed at an hourly rate —D. R. Frederico