​defer (doing) something to delay something until a later time synonym put off. The department deferred the decision for six months.

to delay something until a later time synonym put somethingoff The department deferred the decision for six months. She had applied for deferred admission ...

​the action of delaying something until a later time. The request for a deferral of the inquiry was refused. Some students were granted a deferment of ...

defer to somebody/something (formal) to agree to accept what somebody has decided or what they think about somebody/something because you respect him or her.

There are six meanings listed in OED's entry for the verb defer, five of which are labelled obsolete. See 'Meaning & use' for definitions, usage, ...

to agree to accept what someone has decided or what they think about someone or something because you respect him or her We will defer to whatever the ...

to delay something until a later time; to postpone: You can order the furniture now and defer payment until September.

[uncountable] behavior that shows that you respect someone or something. The women wore veils in deference to the customs of the country.

​behaviour that shows that you respect somebody/something. in deference to somebody/something The women wore veils in deference to the customs of the ...

in a way that shows that you respect somebody/something, especially somebody older or more senior than you.