deferment

/dɪˈfʌrmɪnt/

/dɪˈfʌmənt/

Other forms: deferments

A deferment delays something until a future time. If you want to wait a few years before paying off a loan, you need to ask for a deferment.

Deferment is an official word for "I'll do that later!" College students who owe a lot of money can apply for deferments that give them more time to pay back their loans. Students accepted to colleges can sometimes get a deferment that allows them to do something else first (like serve in the military), and then attend the college later. This is usually used in formal contexts — good luck getting a deferment for your chores.

Definitions of deferment

1. noun

   act of putting off to a future time
   synonyms: deferral, postponement

   types:

   adjournment

   the act of postponing to another time or place

   type of:

   delay, holdup

   the act of delaying; inactivity resulting in something being put off until a later time