stopgap
noun
stop·gap
ˈstäp-ˌgap 
often attributive
: something that serves as a temporary expedient : makeshift
stopgap measures
Examples of stopgap in a Sentence
The new law is intended only as a stopgap.
the coach we have now was only hired as a stopgap until someone with more experience is found
Recent Examples on the Web
With the funds still not included in the government’s enacted fiscal 2025 stopgap, D.C.
—
Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025
Critics say, however, that the stopgap bill does not affect long-term funding challenges for these programs.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
These geoengineering techniques are seen as potential stopgap measures, providing additional time for societies to ramp up efforts to cut carbon emissions.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
In March, as Trump was preparing to roll out his tariffs, House Republican leadership slipped language into a stopgap funding bill to prevent any member of Congress from challenging the national emergency Trump has declared to implement them.
—Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stopgap
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Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025
Critics say, however, that the stopgap bill does not affect long-term funding challenges for these programs.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
These geoengineering techniques are seen as potential stopgap measures, providing additional time for societies to ramp up efforts to cut carbon emissions.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
In March, as Trump was preparing to roll out his tariffs, House Republican leadership slipped language into a stopgap funding bill to prevent any member of Congress from challenging the national emergency Trump has declared to implement them.
—Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stopgap
Cite this Entry
“Stopgap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stopgap. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stopgap
noun
stop·gap
ˈstäp-ˌgap
: something that fills a gap : a temporary substitute
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