locum tenens

noun

lo·​cum te·​nens ˈlō-kəm-ˈtē-ˌnenz 

-ˈte-,

-nənz

plural locum tenentes 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

Synonyms

• backup
• cover
• designated hitter
• fill-in
• pinch hitter
• relief
• replacement
• reserve
• stand-in
• sub
• substitute

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 Whittingham stepped in as Meyer’s replacement in 2005, there were holes in the program after an undefeated season, and there were many lessons for the locum tenens to learn. —Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 12 Nov. 2021

When service units are forced to hire temporary locum tenens physicians in lieu of decreasing services, the quality of care can change dramatically. —WSJ, 17 July 2017

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin, literally, (one) holding a place

First Known Use

1640, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

locum tenens

noun

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

plural locum tenentes -ti-ˈnen-ˌtēz 

: a medical practitioner who temporarily takes the place of another