pro tempore

adverb

pro tem·​po·​re prō-ˈtem-pə-rē How to pronounce pro tempore (audio)
: for the time being

Examples of pro tempore in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Here are the first six in line: Vice President (Kamala Harris), Speaker of the House (Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana), Senate pro tempore (Sen. Patty Murray of Washington), Secretary of State (Antony Blinken), Secretary of Treasury (Janet Yellen), Defense Secretary (Lloyd Austin). Caroline Linton, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2024 Her relatives, including two nieces and a nephew, were injured, according to the mayor of suburban Lee’s Summit, where her brother is mayor pro tempore. Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN, 15 Feb. 2024 Both major parties have floated the idea of empowering Rep. Patrick T. McHenry (R-N.C.), the speaker pro tempore, to take more action as the interim leader so the House can keep functioning. Erin B. Logan, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2023 Atkins has a similar distinction as the first openly LGBTQ state Senate president pro tempore. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Jan. 2024 If the House cannot elect a speaker, members could choose to empower Rep. Patrick T. McHenry (R-N.C.), who is serving as speaker pro tempore, to move crucial legislation. Erin B. Logan, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2023 The five commissioners are appointed by the mayor, the city attorney, the controller, the City Council president and the City Council president pro tempore. Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2023 Until a new speaker is chosen, Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., will serve as speaker pro tempore, an interim role for which he was selected by McCarthy and that contains limited powers to bring bills to the floor. Joe Murphy, NBC News, 13 Oct. 2023 In one of his first moves as speaker pro tempore, Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., on Tuesday ordered former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., to vacate her hideaway office in the Capitol by Wednesday. Mariana Alfaro The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pro tempore.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pro tempore was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near pro tempore

Cite this Entry

“Pro tempore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pro%20tempore. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pro tempore

adverb
pro tem·​po·​re prō-ˈtem-pə-rē How to pronounce pro tempore (audio)
: for the present
president pro tempore

Legal Definition

pro tempore

adverb or adjective
pro tem·​po·​re
prō-ˈtem-pə-rē, -pō-ˌrā
: for the time being : chosen or appointed to occupy a position either temporarily or in the absence of a regularly elected official
an administrator pro tempore
Etymology

Latin

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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