defer

Defer is a verb meaning to postpone or delay something to a later time. It can also mean to yield to someone else’s opinion or authority. The noun deferral (or deferment) denotes the act of postponement or the period of time postponed.

In everyday use, people defer decisions when more information is needed or when scheduling conflicts arise. Example: “We decided to defer the meeting until next week.” When one defers to another person’s expertise, one acknowledges their authority or judgment.

In computing, defer is a keyword in some languages, notably Go. A deferred function call is scheduled to run at the end of the current function’s execution, regardless of how the function exits. The calls are executed in last-in, first-out order. A common use is to close resources: “defer f.Close()” ensures the file is closed upon return, even if an error occurs.

In finance and law, deferral refers to postponing a payment, tax, or obligation. A deferral agreement shifts the timing of obligations without waiving them. In legal contexts, courts may defer sentencing or deferral of judgment to a later date, often subject to conditions.

Deferral contrasts with immediate action; it is a formal or informal postponement intended to introduce additional information, streamline processes, or respect authority. The term deferral is widely used across contexts, with nuances depending on the domain.