contingent
n. countablen. a group of people who share something in common, like their country or job, and are part of a larger group. You often see this word used for groups of soldiers or people at a big meeting.
n. a group of people representing a larger organisation or country, or a specific body of troops forming part of a larger force. Often used in diplomatic, military, or sporting contexts to describe a representative delegation.
The French contingent arrived at the conference this morning.
The local police force sent a small contingent of officers to help manage the crowds at the national parade.
While the main body of the army remained in the valley, a small contingent of scouts was dispatched to survey the mountain passes for any sign of movement.
From Middle English, from Old French contingent, from Medieval Latin contingens (“possible, contingent”), present participle of contingere (“to touch, meet, attain to, happen”), from com- (“together”) + tangere (“to touch”).
Often followed by the preposition 'of' to specify the group's composition.