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locum tenens

noun lo·cum te·nens \ ˈlō-kəm-ˈtē-ˌnenz , -ˈte- , -nənz \

Definition of locum tenens

plural locum tenentes play \ˈlō-kəm-ti-ˈnen-ˌtēz\

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

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 of locum tenens from 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.

Origin and Etymology of locum tenens

Medieval Latin, literally, (one) holding a place

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1640

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

locum tenens

noun lo·cum te·nens \ ˌlō-kəm-ˈtē-ˌnenz, -nənz \

medical Definition of locum tenens

plural locum tenentes play \-ti-ˈnen-ˌtēz\

: a medical practitioner who temporarily takes the place of another

Learn More about locum tenens

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BROWSE DICTIONARY

locum

locumship

locum tenens

locus

locus classicus

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Examples: locum tenens in a Sentence