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.

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Example Sentences

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

Women, for the first time in the Legislature, are serving as president pro tempore in the Senate and as speaker of the House.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 13, 2023

The president laid out his rationale for the strikes in a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson, Louisiana Republican, and Sen. Patty Murray, Washington Democrat and Senate president pro tempore.

From Washington Times • Oct. 29, 2023

In the absence of the presiding officer, a temporary speaker or president is chosen, who is called speaker or president pro tempore, commonly abbreviated, pro tem., which is a Latin phrase, meaning for the time.

From The Government Class Book Designed for the Instruction of Youth in the Principles of Constitutional Government and the Rights and Duties of Citizens. by Young, Andrew W.