I. _pə(r)ˈdēəm, ˌpərˈ-, pə̄ˈ- also -dīəm adverb
Etymology: Latin
: by the day : for each day
computed the total of man-hours saved per diem — C.D.Lewis
II. “, ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ adjective
1. : based on use or service by the day : daily
per diem allowance
a large firm can establish hourly or per diem rates for various levels of performance — R.E.Witschey
the fee is charged on a per diem basis — Jules Backman
when per diem costs are high, fast turnarounds become increasingly important — Daniel Marx
2. : paid by the day
a per diem assignment
Hawaii uses a per diem referee — Comparison of State Unemployment Insurance Laws
III. (ˌ) ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ noun
( plural per diems )
1. : a daily allowance
given a fixed per diem for each day he was away from … his home base — Linda Braidwood
— compare car mileage 2
2. : a daily fee
a detective works day and night for a measly per diem — Erle Stanley Gardner
3. : the daily rental paid by one railroad for the use of cars of another