pro tempore

adverb

pro tem·​po·​re prō-ˈtem-pə-rē 

: for the time being

Examples of pro tempore in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Brownsberger, the President pro tempore of the state Senate and a Belmont Democrat who represents parts of Boston, was in front by 61 votes on Wednesday morning, but the race shifted in Lander’s favor by that afternoon. — Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2026

Speaker pro tempore Wyman Duggan, a Jacksonville Republican, will act as Speaker through the end of the current term, but Perez wrote that House Speaker-designate Sam Garrison, R-Fleming Island, will assume the duties in September. — Miami Herald, 10 Aug. 2026

Ontario residents gathered at Tuesday night's city council meeting to demand transparency from city leaders after the city's mayor pro tempore's home was raided by FBI agents last month. — Lesley Marin, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026

The other six are appointed to four-year terms by various officials, including the governor, House speaker and Senate president pro tempore. — Paul Monies, Oklahoma Watch, 17 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pro tempore

• extempore

Kids Definition

pro tempore

adverb

pro tem·​po·​re prō-ˈtem-pə-rē 

: for the present

president pro tempore

Legal Definition

pro tempore

adverb or adjective

pro tem·​po·​re

prō-ˈtem-pə-rē, -pō-ˌrā

: for the time being : chosen or appointed to occupy a position either temporarily or in the absence of a regularly elected official

an administrator pro tempore

Etymology

Latin