deference

American  

[def-er-uhns] / ˈdɛf ər əns /

noun

1. respectful submission or yielding to the judgment, opinion, will, etc., of another.

2. respectful or courteous regard.

   in deference to his wishes.

---

deference British  

/ ˈdɛfərəns /

noun

1. submission to or compliance with the will, wishes, etc, of another

2. courteous regard; respect

---

Other Word Forms

• nondeference noun

Etymology

Origin of deference

1640–50; < French déf érence, Middle French, equivalent to defer ( er ) to defer ² + -ence -ence

Example Sentences

And so it is a surprise to turn to New York’s New Museum, which has been expanded in a way that shows something rare for Mr. Koolhaas: deference.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Plus, she has a trad wife thing going on, emphasizing her deference to her husband’s decisions.

From Slate • Feb. 27, 2026

There were, though, some concerns expressed about those conventions — and a sense from some that for too long custom had been the midwife of deference and that must change.

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026

Newsom has routinely won approval from the state’s Democratic base, as well as respect and deference from its elected leaders, and his notoriety as a top foe of Trump continues to rise.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 2, 2026

Eventually, someone brought out a decades-old boom box, and even the kids with guitars stopped playing in deference to the Beach Boys.

From "The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken

Related Words

• civility
• courtesy
• reverence