Deferment: meaning, definitions and examples

Add to dictionary

deferment

 

[ dɪˈfəːm(ə)nt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

education

The action or fact of putting something off to a later time; postponement.

Synonyms

delay, postponement, suspension

Examples of usage

  • The deferment of student loan payments helped many students during the pandemic.
  • She requested a deferment of her exams due to unforeseen circumstances.
Context #2 | Noun

finance

The action of delaying or postponing a payment or obligation.

Synonyms

extension, prolongation, renewal

Examples of usage

  • The company requested a deferment of their loan repayment schedule.
  • The bank granted a deferment of the mortgage payment for a few months.

Word origin

The word 'deferment' originated from the Latin word 'deferre', which means 'to carry from'. It entered the English language in the mid-16th century. Initially, it was used in the context of delaying or postponing actions. Over time, 'deferment' became commonly used in educational and financial settings to refer to the act of delaying obligations or payments. The term gained popularity in the 20th century with the rise of student loans and financial deferment options.

See also: deference, deferential, deferred.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,973, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.