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

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

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

The President pro tempore: It requires unanimous consent.

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