deferred

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

Examples of deferred in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Kyle Parker, a spokesperson for the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, deferred comment to the District Attorney’s Office. —Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 12 Nov. 2025

Heyman championed construction of a replacement for the aging civil courthouse and its leaky walls, flood-prone basement and deferred maintenance. —Douglas Hanks november 10, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2025

The renovation will address deferred maintenance issues in the building and upgrade the units with new fixtures, appliances and temperature control systems. —Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 10 Nov. 2025

The fit becomes even better if Tucker is willing to take some deferred money in his deal, which a lot of Dodgers players have done in the past. —Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

from past participle of defer entry 1

First Known Use

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