stopgap

IPA: stˈɑpgæp

(rare) That which stops up or fills a gap or hole.
(figuratively)
Something spoken to fill up an uncomfortable pause in speech; a filled pause or filler.
A short-term fix or temporary measure used until something better can be obtained; that which serves as an expedient in an emergency; a band-aid solution.
(specifically) A person appointed or hired to fill a position temporarily until a permanent appointment or hire can be made; a temp.

(transitive) To stop up or fill (a physical gap or hole, or a hiatus).
(intransitive) To use something as a short-term fix or temporary measure until a better alternative can be obtained.
(specifically) To work at a position temporarily until a permanent appointment or hire is made.

Examples of "stopgap" in Sentences

Too often elections are a short-term stopgap for long-term problems.
MARY SCHIAVO, AVIATION SAFETY EXPERT: Unfortunately that is a very short-term stopgap measure.
Even as a short-term stopgap measure in high-needs areas, I think it's doing more harm to teaching than good.
And Reid said Republicans were stalling and procrastinating by proposing another short-term stopgap to fund the government.
In the meantime, it was asking publishers to cover more of the costs through a 7-cent surcharge in what it characterized as a stopgap measure.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid comments on the Congress budget battle and says the House short-term stopgap plan is "a sure way to close the government."
The nine bills would provide the funding and broadly divvy it up for the rest of fiscal year 2012, after Congress earlier passed a series of short-term stopgap measures.
The Senate approved $219 billion in stopgap spending bill (HR 3081, above) for fiscal 2011, which will fund government operations until Dec. 3, at which time the post-election Congress will take up regular appropriations for the new budget year.