Temporary stage (5)
I believe the answer is:
phase
'temporary stage' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for phase that I've seen before include "Distinct stage" , "Period or stage in a process of change" , "Shape (anag.)" , "A particular point in the time of a cycle" , "Shape into stage" .)