make·shift (māk'shĭft') n. A temporary or expedient substitute for something else. adj. Suitable as a temporary or expedient substitute: used a rock as a makeshift hammer.
Synonyms: These nouns denote something used as a substitute when other means fail or are not available: lacked a cane but used a stick as a makeshift; exhausted every expedient before filing suit; will use force only as a last resort; a crate serving as a stopgap for a chair.