Nat Hentoff
Did you know?
In Latin ad hoc literally means "for this," and in English it describes anything that can be thought of as existing "for this purpose only." For example, an ad hoc committee is generally authorized to look into a single matter of limited scope, not to pursue any issue of interest. Ad hoc can also be used as an adverb meaning "for the particular end or case at hand without consideration of wider application," as in "decisions were made ad hoc."
Synonyms
Examples of ad hoc in a Sentence
Judy Berman, TIME, 31 May 2024
This is an ad hoc, online-only operation, delivered peer-to-peer, with Harrop functioning as something like an international middleman for poop.
—Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 22 May 2024
Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2023
Ukraine has also called for the creation of a special United Nations tribunal, akin to ad hoc bodies set up to address war crimes in the former Yugoslavia and elsewhere.
—Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2023
See all Example Sentences for ad hoc 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ad hoc.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to ad hoc
Dictionary Entries Near ad hoc
Cite this Entry
“Ad hoc.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ad%20hoc. Accessed 8 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
ad hoc
1 of 2 adverbad hoc
2 of 2 adjectiveAdverb
Latin, for this
Share