deference

[def-er-uhns]

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

/ ˈdɛfərəns /

noun

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

2. courteous regard; respect

Other Word Forms

• nondeference noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of deference¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of deference¹

C17: from French déférence; see _defer ²

Example Sentences

“That decision is binding, and it does require a substantial degree of deference on the factual issues,” Somin said.

From Los Angeles Times

In that interview you seemed to go out of your way to express your thoughts on gender with deference to people whose experience is different than yours.

From Los Angeles Times

A merged entity with more market power can suppress dissenting voices more effectively, or demand greater deference in exchange for carriage.

From Salon

He gave a great deference to some who said they could not serve due to personal reasons.

From BBC

The musical numbers are more elaborate than karaoke acts, but the volume is contained in deference to the Getty Villa’s neighbors, draining the staging of some of its theatrical power.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• civility 
• courtesy 
• reverence