contingency

noun (plural contingencies)

• a future event or circumstance that is possible but cannot be predicted with certainty:a detailed contract that attempts to provide for all possible contingencies
• a provision for an unforeseen event or circumstance:a contingency reserve
• an incidental expense:allow an extra fifteen percent in the budget for contingencies
• the absence of certainty in events:the island’s public affairs can be invaded by contingency
• Philosophy the absence of necessity; the fact of being so without having to be so.