defer to

1 of 1verb

/dɪ.ˈfɜ: tu:/

Forms:deferring to,deferred to,deferred to

to accept or agree to follow someone's decision, opinion, or authority, often out of respect or recognition of their expertise or position

transitive

The team chose to defer to the senior researcher's expertise in designing the experiment.
When deciding on the software to use, I will defer to your experience in the field.
Students are expected to defer to the professor's guidelines for completing the assignment.
She decided to defer to her parents' wishes and pursue a career in medicine, despite her initial interest in art.
He chose to defer to his doctor's recommendation for the best course of treatment.

to refer to or rely on someone or something with more expertise, responsibility, or jurisdiction, typically to handle a matter

During team discussions, members often defer to the project manager for direction and decision-making.
In matters of international diplomacy, leaders often defer to the United Nations for resolutions to global conflicts.
The board of directors deferred to the chief financial officer for guidance on budget allocations.
She deferred to her grandfather's wisdom when making important family decisions.

to agree to uphold established customs, practices, or rituals, typically out of respect for their historical or cultural importance

In matters of protocol, diplomats often defer to the customs of the host country.
During ceremonies, the royal family always defers to ancient customs and protocols.
In diplomatic meetings, it is customary to defer to the host country's cultural norms and etiquette.
The university's graduation ceremony deferred to longstanding tradition by awarding honorary degrees to distinguished alumni.
The museum curators decided to defer to historical accuracy when restoring the ancient artifacts.