locum tenens

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

Examples: locum tenens in a Sentence

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

in the meaning defined above

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

See words that rhyme with locum tenens

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up locum tenens? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

voracity

play

the quality or state of being insatiable

BROWSE DICTIONARY

locum

locumship

locum tenens

locus

locus classicus

Test Your Vocabulary

Words for Summer: A Quiz

Which of the following words means “of or relating to summer”?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games