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locum tenens

noun
lo·​cum te·​nens | \ ˈlō-kəm-ˈtē-ˌnenz How to pronounce locum tenens (audio) , -ˈte-, -nənz\
plural locum tenentes\ ˈlō-​kəm-​ti-​ˈnen-​ˌtēz How to pronounce locum tenentes (audio) \

Definition of locum tenens

: one filling an office for a time or temporarily taking the place of another —used especially of a doctor or clergyman
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Examples of locum tenens in a Sentence

I'm just a locum tenens, so any major decisions should be deferred until your regular doctor returns from vacation.

Recent Examples on the Web

 When service units are forced to hire temporary locum tenens physicians in lieu of decreasing services, the quality of care can change dramatically. — WSJ, "Tribes Lose Again, This Time on Health Care," 17 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'locum tenens.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of locum tenens

1640, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for locum tenens

Medieval Latin, literally, (one) holding a place

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Time Traveler for locum tenens

The first known use of locum tenens was in 1640

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More Definitions for locum tenens

locum tenens

noun
lo·​cum te·​nens | \ ˌlō-kəm-ˈtē-ˌnenz, -nənz How to pronounce locum tenens (audio) \
plural locum tenentes\ -​ti-​ˈnen-​ˌtēz How to pronounce locum tenentes (audio) \

Medical Definition of locum tenens

: a medical practitioner who temporarily takes the place of another

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for locum tenens

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