interim

1 of 2

noun

in·​ter·​im ˈin-tə-rəm 

: an intervening time : interval

interim

2 of 2

adjective

: done, made, appointed, or occurring for an interim

Synonyms

Noun

• interval
• interruption
• hiatus
• gap
• pause

Adjective

• temporary
• provisional
• transitional

Examples of interim in a Sentence

Noun

there was a brief interim in the proceedings while everyone got organized

Adjective

putting up some students in local motels is obviously just an interim solution to the college's housing shortage

will serve as interim head of the police department until the investigation is completed

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As for Bauer, he was appointed to be the director of Public Works and city engineer after serving in the role as an interim for months. —R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 24 July 2025

The closures are in effect for the interim, NPS wrote in the release, and more park water closures are pending if needed. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 19 July 2025

Adjective

Suddenly, Amador – a popular former principal dancer who had been the company’s rehearsal director since 2020 – was thrust into the position of interim artistic director. —David Lyman, The Enquirer, 7 Aug. 2025

Then, in an attempt to flatten the arc, and quell the crisis, the new interim CEO of Astronomer hired actor Ryan Reynolds’ inventive marketing firm, Maximum Effort. —Davia Temin, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin, adverb, meanwhile, from inter between — more at inter-

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1580, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1604, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing interim

• ad interim
• in the interim

Kids Definition

interim

noun

in·​ter·​im

ˈin-tə-rəm

: a time intervening : interval

interim adjective

Legal Definition

interim

1 of 2 noun

in·​ter·​im ˈin-tə-rəm 

: an intervening time see also ad interim

interim

2 of 2 adjective

: done, made, appointed, or occurring for an interim

an interim disposition