stopgap

noun

1. (rare)That which stops up or fills a gap or hole.

   “[A] bit of ink and paper which has long been an innocent wrapping or stop-gap may at last be laid open under the one pair of eyes which have knowledge enough to turn it into the opening of a catastrophe.”

2. (figuratively)Something spoken to fill up an uncomfortable pause in speech; a filled pause or filler.
3. (figuratively)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.

   “The small company used their old product with a few kludged enhancements as a stopgap until they could develop a new product.”

   “Perhaps I shall be told that this wintry exhibition is a mere stopgap and makeshift, until a fresh supply of bright new paintings can be procured, and that it is ultra vires to obtain such for love or money before the merry month of May.”

   “It is often argued that the HST saved BR's InterCity market. It was only ever intended as a stopgap, but it proved to be a winner.”

4. (figuratively, specifically)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.

   “As witness the following. Mr Strudwick, the regular master of the form, happened on one occasion to be away for a couple of days, and a stop-gap was put in in his place. The name of the stop-gap was Mr Somerville Smith. He and Farnie exchanged an unspoken declaration of war almost immediately.”

adj

1. (not-comparable)Short-term; temporary.

   “They put a stopgap solution in place, but need something more permanent.”

2. (not-comparable)Filling a gap or pause.

verb

1. (transitive)To stop up or fill (a physical gap or hole, or a hiatus).
2. (intransitive)To use something as a short-term fix or temporary measure until a better alternative can be obtained.
3. (intransitive, specifically)To use something as a short-term fix or temporary measure until a better alternative can be obtained.