per diem: Meaning and Definition of

per di•em

Pronunciation: (pur dē'um, dī'um), [key]
  1. by the day; for each day.
  2. a daily allowance, usually for living expenses while traveling in connection with one's work or being employed at a distance from one's home: a per diem for lawmakers while the legislature is in session.
  3. paid by the day.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.