Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition: 1  Defer. de-fėr′, v.t. to put off to another time: to delay:—pr.p. 2  Defer. de-fėr, v.i. to yield to the wishes or opinions of another, or to authority.—v.t. to submit to or lay before:—pr.p. defer′ring; pa.p. deferred′.—n.