deference implies a yielding or submitting to another's judgment or preference out of respect or reverence.

DEFERENCE definition: respectful submission or yielding to the judgment, opinion, will, etc., of another. See examples of deference used in a sentence.

DEFERENCE meaning: 1. respect and politeness: 2. respect and politeness: 3. respect shown for another person esp…. Learn more.

Definition of deference noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

def•er•ence (ˈdɛf ər əns) n. 1. respectful yielding to the opinion, will, etc., of another: in deference to her wishes. 2. respectful or courteous regard.

• Omi crooked a finger for the waitress who offered the bill with subtle deference, and Omi paid it with subtle superiority. • They are also used to unquestioning deference to their own leaders, …

Dec 14, 2025 · deference (countable and uncountable, plural deferences) Great respect. The children treated their elders with deference. By tidying his room, he showed deference to his …

DEFERENCE meaning: 1 : a way of behaving that shows respect for someone or something often + to; 2 : in order to show respect for the opinions or influence of (someone or something) out …

When you show deference to someone, you make a gesture of respect. The noun deference goes with the verb defer, which means "to yield to someone's opinions or wishes out of respect for …

There are four meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun deference, one of which is labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.