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

A Universal spokesman told me that the label and the Lennon estate dropped it in deference to current sensitivities.

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It overturned the so-called Chevron deference doctrine, according to which regulatory agencies had wide latitude in interpreting vague statutes.

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

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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.

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

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Related Words

• civility 
• courtesy 
• reverence