temp

1 of 3

noun

ˈtemp How to pronounce temp (audio)
Synonyms of tempnext
1
: temperature sense 1a
2
: a temporary worker

temp

2 of 3

verb

temped; temping; temps

intransitive verb

: to work as a temp

temp

3 of 3

abbreviation

1
temporary
2
[Latin tempore] in the time of

Examples of temp in a Sentence

Noun We had to hire a temp to fill in for her.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
That core body temp drop and melatonin bump are the actual mechanisms your tracker is picking up when readiness scores climb. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026 Skies will be clear for the game, with game-time temps in the mid to upper 50s. — Ron Smiley, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 Chicken breasts in a hot holding unit held at temps from 124-136 degrees. — Nwa Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026 Even so, Modesto and Merced will see high temps in the 70s, and Fresno won’t be far behind in the low 80s. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for temp

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1974, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of temp was in 1850

Rhymes for temp

See All Rhymes for temp

Browse Nearby Words

Temora
temp
Tempe
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Temp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/temp. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

temp

noun
ˈtemp
: temperature

Medical Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on temp

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for temp

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of milieu

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All