deferred

1 of 2

adjective

de·​ferred di-ˈfərd 

1

: withheld for or until a stated time

a deferred payment

2

: charged in cases of delayed handling

telegraphs sent at deferred rates

deferred

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of defer entry 1, defer entry 2

Examples of deferred in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Her victory served as validation for Democrats' long deferred dream that demographic changes in the state would be followed by a shift in political power. — Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026

Years of deferred maintenance and funding fights led to a disastrous series of train delays and track fires in 2017 that came to be known as the Summer of Hell. — New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026

When pension shortfalls, other post-employment benefits and deferred maintenance are properly counted, the true financial condition of Maryland and its local governments is far weaker than the official budget statements claim. — Judi Willard, Baltimore Sun, 27 Oct. 2026

Judge Andy Porter placed him under a term of deferred adjudication probation. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from past participle of defer entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing deferred

• tax-deferred

Rhymes for deferred

• afterword
• firebird
• hummingbird
• ladybird
• mockingbird
• overheard
• thunderbird
• undergird
• undeterred
• absurd
• averred
• bluebird

Legal Definition

deferred

adjective

de·​ferred

di-ˈfərd

: withheld or delayed for or until a stated time

a deferred payment

deferred prosecution