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

Ponds, inlets, and outfalls that are not maintained do not perform as designed, and deferred maintenance is the most common reason a system that looks adequate on paper floods in practice. — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026

The order directs the Treasury Department to defer payment without interest or penalties, and to explore ways to eliminate the deferred bill entirely. — Steven John, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026

The Internal Revenue Service will only enforce the deferred tax liability if it is directed to do so by the Treasury secretary and the president, the official said. — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026

Higher association fees and deferred maintenance costs continue to drive those declines. — Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 6 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