1
a
: concerned with a particular end or purpose
an ad hoc investigating committee
b
: formed or used for specific or immediate problems or needs
ad hoc solutions
2
: fashioned from whatever is immediately available : improvised
On his desk sits an ad hoc model rocket, jerry-rigged together from a paper clip and an old pencil eraser.—
John Semley
John Semley
: for the particular end or case at hand without consideration of wider application
The decisions were made ad hoc.
Did you know?
In Latin ad hoc literally means "for this," and in English the term describes anything that can be thought of as existing "for this purpose only." For example, an ad hoc committee is generally authorized to look into a single matter of limited scope, not to broadly pursue any issue of interest. Ad hoc can also be used as an adverb meaning "for the particular end or case at hand without consideration of wider application," as in "decisions were made ad hoc."
Examples of ad hoc in a Sentence
Adjective
The mayor appointed an ad hoc committee to study the project.
We had to make some ad hoc changes to the plans.
We'll hire more staff on an ad hoc basis.
Recent Examples on the Web
Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
Of note, recognizing these concerns, the commission voted in December 2025 to establish an ad hoc Governance Committee to review all governing documents and create policies and procedures to allow the pension commission to fulfill its fiduciary duties.
—Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 29 May 2026
This ad hoc committee is working on new composition policies for the Metro Board, as the county is expected to expand its Board of Supervisors from five to nine members by 2032, which will also boost the Metro board from 13 to 17 members.
—City News Service, Daily News, 28 May 2026
Via handheld camera, the scientist directs us to the ad hoc headquarters where his team has set up, a desk strewn with floppy disks and wires, cords spewing from the backs of oversized computer processors.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ad hoc
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Adjective
For the last few years, federal and local authorities have relied on ad hoc systems to deal with a threat from the skies, but the World Cup may be the first major event at which such a threat is at the forefront.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
Of note, recognizing these concerns, the commission voted in December 2025 to establish an ad hoc Governance Committee to review all governing documents and create policies and procedures to allow the pension commission to fulfill its fiduciary duties.
—Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 29 May 2026
This ad hoc committee is working on new composition policies for the Metro Board, as the county is expected to expand its Board of Supervisors from five to nine members by 2032, which will also boost the Metro board from 13 to 17 members.
—City News Service, Daily News, 28 May 2026
Via handheld camera, the scientist directs us to the ad hoc headquarters where his team has set up, a desk strewn with floppy disks and wires, cords spewing from the backs of oversized computer processors.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ad hoc
Cite this Entry
“Ad hoc.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ad%20hoc. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
ad hoc
1 of 2 adverb
: for the particular end or case at hand without consideration of wider application
ad hoc
2 of 2 adjective1
: concerned with a particular end or purpose
an ad hoc investigating committee
2
: formed or used for specific or immediate problems or needs
ad hoc solutions
Etymology
Adverb
Latin, for this
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