Temporal powers or matters relate to ordinary institutions and activities rather than to religious or spiritual ones.
[formal]
...their spiritual and temporal leader.
He firmly believed the clergy should not become pre-occupied with temporal matters.
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
The temporal parts of your brain are the parts near the sides of your head.
[medicine]
...a small but important area of the temporal lobe of the brain.
3. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Temporal means relating to time.
[formal]
One is also able to see how specific acts are related to a temporal and spatial context.
The present world crisis should in principle be analysed from different temporalperspectives.
Synonyms: time-related, of time, relating to time More Synonyms of temporal
temporally (tempərəli)adverb
In the last stages of dementia, persons will be spatially and temporally disoriented.
More Synonyms of temporal
temporal in British English1
(ˈtɛmpərəl, ˈtɛmprəl)
adjective
1.
of or relating to time
2.
of or relating to secular as opposed to spiritual or religious affairs
the lords spiritual and temporal
3.
lasting for a relatively short time
4. grammar
of or relating to tense or the linguistic expression of time in general
a temporal adverb
Derived forms
temporally (ˈtemporally)
adverb
temporalness (ˈtemporalness)
noun
Word origin
C14: from Latin temporālis, from tempus time
temporal in British English2
(ˈtɛmpərəl, ˈtɛmprəl)
adjective
anatomy
of, relating to, or near the temple or temples
Word origin
C16: from Late Latin temporālis belonging to the temples; see temple2
temporal in American English1
(ˈtɛmpərəl; ˈtɛmprəl)
adjective
1.
lasting only for a time; transitory; temporary, not eternal
2.
of this world; worldly, not spiritual
3.
civil or secular rather than ecclesiastical
4.
of or limited by time
5. Grammar
expressing distinctions in time; pertaining to tense
noun
6.
a temporal thing, power, etc.
Derived forms
temporally (ˈtemporally)
adverb
Word origin
ME < L temporalis < tempus, time: see temper
temporal in American English2
(ˈtɛmpərəl; ˈtɛmprəl)
adjective
of or near the temple or temples (of the head)
Word origin
LL temporalis < L tempora: see temple2
Examples of 'temporal' in a sentence
temporal
I had to have an operation on a fracture of my temporal lobe.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Touching the temporal lobe can give a deep feeling of guilt.
Claudia Hammond EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER: A Journey Through the Science of Feelings (2005)
The rhythms of the text are as much spatial as temporal.
The Times Literary Supplement (2014)
She might lack temporal power but this gave her access to the emotional power of the innocent in chains.
Jane Dunn ELIZABETH AND MARY: Cousins, Rivals, Queens (2003)
This probably results from the stress hormones released during jet lag that are known to damage the temporal lobe and memory.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The temporal lobes are important, but not central.
Wills, Christopher The Runaway Brain: the Evolution of Human Uniqueness (1993)
Above all, the pope should lead by moral example rather than by the exercise of temporal power.
Christianity Today (2000)
It is in such details that one's sense of temporal and spatial distance and detachment is overwhelmed.
The Times Literary Supplement (2014)
Further plot devices confirmed that this tactile man did indeed have second sight or, as we doctors say, temporal lobe problems.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
What emerges is a compelling and often uplifting study, the spatial and temporal boundaries of which extend far beyond Britain between the wars.
The Times Literary Supplement (2014)
In other languages
temporal
British English: temporal ADJECTIVE
Temporal powers or matters relate to ordinary institutions and activities rather than to religious or spiritual ones.
...their spiritual and temporal leader.
American English: temporal
Brazilian Portuguese: temporal
Chinese: 凡尘的
European Spanish: temporal
French: temporel
German: weltlich
Italian: temporale
Japanese: 現世の
Korean: 현세의
European Portuguese: temporal
Latin American Spanish: temporal
All related terms of 'temporal'
Lord temporal
(in Britain) a peer other than a bishop who is a member of the House of Lords
temporal bone
either of two compound bones forming part of the sides and base of the skull : they surround the organs of hearing
temporal lobe
the laterally protruding portion of each cerebral hemisphere , situated below the parietal lobe and associated with sound perception and interpretation : it is thought to be the centre for memory recall
Lords Temporal
those members of the British House of Lords who are not members of the clergy
the Lords Temporal
(in Britain) peers other than bishops in their capacity as members of the House of Lords
1 (adjective)
Definition
of secular as opposed to spiritual or religious affairs
Clergy should not be preoccupied with temporal matters.
Synonyms
secular
secular and religious education
worldly
It is time you woke up and focused your thoughts on more worldly matters.
lay
He is a Methodist lay preacher and social worker.
earthly
They lived in an earthly paradise.
mundane
spiritual immortals who had transcended the mundane world
material
the material world
civil
fleshly
mortal
We are designed to be mortal.
terrestrial
terrestrial life forms
carnal
profane
Churches should not be used for profane or secular purposes.
sublunary
2 (adjective)
Definition
of or relating to time
Specific acts are related to a temporal and spatial context.
Synonyms
time-related
of time
relating to time
3 (adjective)
Definition
not permanent or eternal
The temporal gifts that Fortune grants in this world are finally worthless.
Synonyms
temporary
a temporary loss of memory
passing
people who dismissed mobile phones as a passing fad
transitory
Most teenage romances are transitory.
fleeting
They caught only a fleeting glimpse of the driver.
short-lived
Any hope that the speech would end the war was short-lived.
fugitive
Love is as fugitive and insubstantial as smoke, yet we all pursue it.
transient
the transient nature of high fashion
momentary
a momentary lapse of concentration
evanescent (formal)
the evanescent effects of light and weather on the landscape
impermanent
Looking at the sky reminds me how impermanent we all are.
fugacious
Additional synonyms
in the sense of earthly
Definition
of life on earth as opposed to any heavenly or spiritual state
They lived in an earthly paradise.
Synonyms
worldly,
material,
physical,
secular,
mortal,
mundane,
terrestrial,
temporal,
human,
materialistic,
profane,
telluric,
sublunary,
non-spiritual,
tellurian,
terrene
in the sense of evanescent
Definition
quickly fading away
the evanescent effects of light and weather on the landscape
Synonyms
ephemeral,
passing,
brief,
fading,
fleeting,
vanishing,
short-lived,
fugitive,
transient,
momentary,
transitory,
impermanent,
fugacious
in the sense of fleeting
Definition
rapid and soon passing
They caught only a fleeting glimpse of the driver.
Synonyms
momentary,
short,
passing,
flying,
brief,
temporary,
short-lived,
fugitive,
transient,
flitting,
ephemeral,
transitory,
evanescent (formal),
fugacious,
here today, gone tomorrow
Nearby words of
temporal
tempestuous
temple
tempo
temporal
temporarily
temporary
temporize
Synonyms of 'temporal'
temporal
Explore 'temporal' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of fleshly
Definition
worldly as opposed to spiritual
Synonyms
worldly,
human,
material,
earthly,
physical,
secular,
mundane,
terrestrial,
corporal,
of this world,
corporeal
in the sense of fugitive
Definition
not permanent
Love is as fugitive and insubstantial as smoke, yet we all pursue it.
Synonyms
momentary,
short,
passing,
brief,
fleeing,
temporary,
fleeting,
unstable,
short-lived,
transient,
flitting,
ephemeral,
transitory,
evanescent (formal),
fugacious,
flying
in the sense of impermanent
Definition
not permanent
Looking at the sky reminds me how impermanent we all are.
Synonyms
temporary,
passing,
brief,
fleeting,
elusive,
mortal,
short-lived,
flying,
fugitive,
transient,
momentary,
ephemeral,
transitory,
perishable,
fly-by-night (informal),
evanescent,
inconstant,
fugacious,
here today, gone tomorrow (informal)
in the sense of lay
Definition
of or involving people who are not members of the clergy
He is a Methodist lay preacher and social worker.
Synonyms
nonclerical,
secular,
non-ordained,
laic,
laical
in the sense of material
Definition
concerned with or composed of physical matter or substance
the material world
Synonyms
physical,
worldly,
solid,
substantial (formal),
concrete,
fleshly,
bodily,
tangible,
palpable,
corporeal,
nonspiritual
in the sense of momentary
Definition
lasting for only a moment
a momentary lapse of concentration
Synonyms
short-lived,
short,
brief,
temporary,
passing,
quick,
fleeting,
hasty,
transitory
in the sense of mortal
Definition
of or involving life or the world
We are designed to be mortal.
Synonyms
human,
worldly,
passing,
earthly,
fleshly,
temporal,
transient,
ephemeral,
perishable,
corporeal,
impermanent,
sublunary
in the sense of mundane
Definition
relating to the world or worldly matters
spiritual immortals who had transcended the mundane world
Synonyms
earthly,
worldly,
human,
material,
fleshly,
secular,
mortal,
terrestrial,
temporal,
sublunary
in the sense of passing
Definition
momentary or short-lived
people who dismissed mobile phones as a passing fad
Synonyms
momentary,
fleeting,
short-lived,
transient,
ephemeral,
short,
brief,
temporary,
transitory,
evanescent (formal),
fugacious (rare)
in the sense of profane
Definition
secular
Churches should not be used for profane or secular purposes.
Synonyms
secular,
lay,
temporal,
unholy,
worldly,
unconsecrated,
unhallowed,
unsanctified
Additional synonyms
in the sense of short-lived
Definition
lasting only for a short time
Any hope that the speech would end the war was short-lived.
Synonyms
brief,
short,
temporary,
fleeting,
passing,
transient,
ephemeral,
transitory,
impermanent
in the sense of terrestrial
Definition
of the planet earth
terrestrial life forms
Synonyms
earthly,
worldly,
global,
mundane,
sublunary,
tellurian,
terrene
in the sense of transient
Definition
lasting for a short time only
the transient nature of high fashion
Synonyms
brief,
passing,
short-term,
temporary,
short,
flying,
fleeting,
short-lived,
fugitive,
momentary,
ephemeral,
transitory,
evanescent (formal),
impermanent,
here today and gone tomorrow,
fugacious
in the sense of transitory
Definition
lasting only for a short time
Most teenage romances are transitory.
Synonyms
short-lived,
short,
passing,
brief,
short-term,
temporary,
fleeting,
transient,
flying,
momentary,
ephemeral,
evanescent (formal),
impermanent,
here today and gone tomorrow,
fugacious
in the sense of worldly
Definition
not spiritual
It is time you woke up and focused your thoughts on more worldly matters.