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Deferment: meaning, definitions and examples

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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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
deferment

Use when referring to an official or formal decision to delay something, often used in legal, academic, or military contexts.

  • He received a deferment from military service due to his medical condition.
  • The student was granted a deferment on their loan payments.

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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
deferment

This term is often used in official or formal contexts, especially regarding the postponement of financial obligations, legal matters, or military service.

  • The student received a deferment on his loan payments
  • The soldier sought a deferment of his deployment due to personal reasons
extension

This is commonly used in more general situations where extra time is given, such as deadlines, projects, or policies. It can be both formal and informal.

  • The professor granted an extension for the assignment deadline
  • The tenant asked for an extension on their lease
renewal

Used when something is being made new again or extended for another term, commonly seen with subscriptions, licenses, or memberships.

  • She completed the renewal of her driver's license
  • The magazine subscription is due for renewal next month
prolongation

Often it's used in formal or technical contexts to describe the act of making something last longer, especially in contracts, medical treatments, or negotiations. It may have a slightly negative connotation if implying an undesirable delay.

  • The contract included a clause for the prolongation of the project if necessary
  • The doctor discussed the prolongation of the therapy sessions

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.

Etymology

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.