pro tempore

American  

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

Also pro tem

adverb

1. temporarily; for the time being.

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adjective

1. temporary (often used postpositively).

   She is serving as a judge pro tempore.

pro tempore British  

/ ˈprəʊ ˈtɛmpərɪ /

adverb

1. Often shortened to: pro tem.  for the time being

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pro tempore Cultural  

1. 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.”

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Etymology

Origin of pro tempore

< Latin

Example Sentences

The Federal Reserve Board named Jerome Powell chair pro tempore Friday as his term as chair formally expired, a move intended to bridge the gap until his confirmed successor is sworn in.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

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

Four years later, he won a seat in the state Senate, serving for a time as that chamber’s president pro tempore and eventually mounting an unsuccessful challenge to U.S.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 1, 2024

Had Vice President Arthur died before Mr. Garfield's death there would have been no one to succeed to the vacancy until October 10, when a new president pro tempore of the senate was chosen.

From Government in the United States National, State and Local by Garner, James Wilford