def ‧ er ‧ ence /ˈdef ə rəns/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable] formal
polite behaviour that shows that you respect someone and are therefore willing to accept their opinions or judgment
deference to
Lewis was annoyed that Adam did not show enough respect and deference to him.
out of/in deference to something (=because you respect someone’s beliefs, opinions etc)
They were married in church out of deference to their parents’ wishes.
—deferential /ˌdefəˈrenʃ ə l◂/ adjective :
deferential treatment
—deferentially adverb