reference

¹ref·er·ence

noun \ˈre-fərn(t)s, ˈre-f(ə-)rən(t)s\

Definition of REFERENCE

1

: the act of referring or consulting

2

: a bearing on a matter : relation <in reference to your recent letter>

3

: something that refers: as

a : allusion, mention

b : something (as a sign or indication) that refers a reader or consulter to another source of information (as a book or passage)

c : consultation of sources of information

4

: one referred to or consulted: as

a : a person to whom inquiries as to character or ability can be made

b : a statement of the qualifications of a person seeking employment or appointment given by someone familiar with the person

c (1) : a source of information (as a book or passage) to which a reader or consulter is referred (2) : a work (as a dictionary or encyclopedia) containing useful facts or information

d : denotation, meaning

Examples of REFERENCE

1. references to an earlier event
2. The numbers were calculated by reference to the most recent census.
3. Reference to a map will make the position clear.
4. She listed her former teacher as a reference when she applied for the job.
5. Her former teacher gave her a reference when she applied for the job.
6. Her teacher gave her a letter of reference.

First Known Use of REFERENCE

1589

Related to REFERENCE

Synonyms

authority, source

Related Words

citation, excerpt, extract, quotation; caption, cross-reference, footnote, note

²reference

adjective

Definition of REFERENCE

: used or usable for reference; especially : constituting a standard for measuring or constructing

Examples of REFERENCE

1. a list of reference materials

First Known Use of REFERENCE

1856

³reference

transitive verb

referencedreferenc·ing

Definition of REFERENCE

1

a : to supply with references

b : to cite in or as a reference

2

: to put in a form (as a table) adapted to easy reference

Examples of REFERENCE

1. The book references many other authors who have written on this topic.

First Known Use of REFERENCE

1891