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

Senators are appointed by the Senate’s president pro tempore, and House members are selected by the House speaker. — Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026

Republican Chuck Grassley, the president pro tempore of the Senate, presided over the ceremony. — Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 14 July 2026

Joseph was first elected to the Florida House in 2018 and served as Minority Leader pro tempore from 2022 to 2024. — Miami Herald, 11 June 2026

McGuire had most recently served as the California Senate president pro tempore and earned around 40% of the primary vote as of late Tuesday. — Haley Parsley june 10, Sacbee.com, 10 June 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