stopgap

American  

[stop-gap] / ˈstɒpˌgæp /

noun

1. something that fills the place of something else that is lacking; temporary substitute; makeshift.

   Candles are a stopgap when the electricity fails.

---

adjective

1. makeshift.

   This is only a stopgap solution.

   Synonyms:

   impromptu, substitute, temporary, improvised

stopgap British  

/ ˈstɒpˌɡæp /

noun

1. 1. a temporary substitute for something else

   2. ( as modifier )

      a stopgap programme

---

Etymology

Origin of stopgap

First recorded in 1525–35; noun, adj. use of verb phrase stop a gap

Example Sentences

But stopgap measures can only go so far.

From Barron's

There are “buffers” that can serve as temporary “stopgaps” to make up for the oil lost to an effective closure of the waterway.

From MarketWatch

He typically only charges his high hourly fee as a stopgap measure until he strikes a fee agreement.

From The Wall Street Journal

Should your children’s inheritance come with stopgaps and caveats, or is it better to simply leave them a sum for education and housing and give the rest to your favorite causes?

From MarketWatch

More companies chose a board member to run things day-to-day last year, usually a stopgap move that suggests succession hadn’t gone as planned, Spencer Stuart said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• Band-Aid