Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

president pro tempore

American  
Or president pro tem

noun

U.S. Government.
  1. a senator, usually a senior member of the majority party, who is chosen to preside over the Senate in the absence of the vice president.


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.

Mr. Johnson was relying on the Presidential Succession Act of 1947, which places Mr. Grassley, 92 and the Senate’s president pro tempore, third in line to the presidency.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 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

Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Des Moines, has served as Senate president pro tempore since 2018.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 25, 2023

In 2023, she said she would not serve as the Senate president pro tempore, or the most senior member of the majority party, even though she was in line to do so.

From Washington Times • Sep. 29, 2023

The president pro tempore of the Senate receives the same while serving as president of the Senate.

From Studies in Civics by McCleary, J. T. (James Thompson)

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "president pro tempore" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com