Defer/dɪˈfɜːr/ Definition 1 of 3Pro Tip 1/3Planned Delay Use 'defer' when a decision or action is intentionally postponed to a specific time. The committee will defer their vote until the audit is complete. Pro Tip 2/3Active Choice 'Defer' implies an active decision to delay, not caused by external factors. We will defer launching the product, awaiting better market conditions. Pro Tip 3/3Not Immediate 'Defer' is used when something is put off for a period, not just briefly. Due to her busy schedule, she deferred the meeting to next month.