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
The city has previously tested similar stopgap measures.
—
Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Though useful as a stopgap measure, there are clear limits to free childcare services.
—Christine Ro, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
But those stopgap measures didn’t address the underlying problem: The city faces a nearly $140 million annual structural deficit starting next fiscal year for the city’s general fund, City Administrator Jestin Johnson and Finance Director Erin Roseman warned in a Feb. 20 memo.
—East Bay Times Editorial, The Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2025
Today’s top stories (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times )
After a rift on the shutdown, California Democrats try to refocus the budget fight on Medicaid
Democrats split last week over a Republican stopgap measure to avoid a government shutdown.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stopgap
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Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Though useful as a stopgap measure, there are clear limits to free childcare services.
—Christine Ro, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
But those stopgap measures didn’t address the underlying problem: The city faces a nearly $140 million annual structural deficit starting next fiscal year for the city’s general fund, City Administrator Jestin Johnson and Finance Director Erin Roseman warned in a Feb. 20 memo.
—East Bay Times Editorial, The Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2025
Today’s top stories (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times )
After a rift on the shutdown, California Democrats try to refocus the budget fight on Medicaid
Democrats split last week over a Republican stopgap measure to avoid a government shutdown.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 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 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stopgap
noun
stop·gap
ˈstäp-ˌgap
: something that fills a gap : a temporary substitute
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