Synonyms

pro tempore

American

[proh tem-puh-ree, proh tem-paw-re] / ˈproʊ ˈtɛm pəˌri, ˈproʊ ˈtɛm pɔˌrɛ /

Also pro tem

adverb

temporarily; for the time being.

adjective

temporary (often used postpositively).

She is serving as a judge pro tempore.

pro tempore British

/ ˈprəʊ ˈtɛmpərɪ /

adverb

Often shortened to: pro tem. for the time being

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

pro tempore Cultural

Temporarily: “While the president of the company is ill, the vice president will act as the leader pro tem.” From Latin, meaning “for the time being.”

Etymology

Origin of pro tempore

< Latin

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

pro tempore

Mr. Buckner, a Democrat, is speaker pro tempore of the Illinois House of Representatives.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

If the Senate doesn’t confirm Warsh before Powell’s term as chair ends, Powell has said he would remain chair pro tempore until his successor is named.

From Barron's ● Apr. 24, 2026

The president pro tempore of the Senate, Chuck Grassley of Iowa, is 91, and third in line for succession to the presidency.

From Salon ● Aug. 9, 2025

Murray is the president pro tempore of the Senate, or the senior-most member of the majority party who sits in for the vice president.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 16, 2024

The President pro tempore: The senator from Alabama states that he has no objection to the present consideration of the resolution, but he asks leave to make some remarks upon it.

From History of Woman Suffrage, Volume III by Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023