reference

1 of 3

noun

ref·​er·​ence ˈre-fərn(t)s 

ˈre-f(ə-)rən(t)s

1

: the act of referring or consulting

2

: a bearing on a matter : relation

in reference to your recent letter

3

: something that refers: such as

a

: allusion, mention

b

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

c

: consultation of sources of information

4

: one referred to or consulted: such 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 (such as a book or passage) to which a reader or consulter is referred

(2)

: a work (such as a dictionary or encyclopedia) containing useful facts or information

d

: denotation, meaning

reference

2 of 3

adjective

: used or usable for reference

especially : constituting a standard for measuring or constructing

reference

3 of 3

verb

referenced; referencing

transitive verb

1

a

: to supply with references

b

: to cite in or as a reference

2

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

Synonyms

Noun

• authority
• source

Examples of reference in a Sentence

Noun

references to an earlier event

The numbers were calculated by reference to the most recent census.

Reference to a map will make the position clear.

She listed her former teacher as a reference when she applied for the job.

Her former teacher gave her a reference when she applied for the job.

Her teacher gave her a letter of reference.

Adjective

a list of reference materials

Verb

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

One post from April 17 included a reference to potential jurors who were under consideration for the case at the time. —Graham Kates, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2024

His speeches are filled with baseball references, stretched to show that he’s not tied to ideology. —David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 23 Apr. 2024

Adding to the exclusivity, this reference is only sold in the London boutique on New Bond Street, where the Crash was born over 50 years ago. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2024

The Civil War began in 1861, more than 30 years after the decade Swift references in the song. —Katie Wiseman, The Courier-Journal, 22 Apr. 2024

Fans also think there are references to Kim Kardashian, and Swift's brief romance with Matty Healy. —Becca Longmire, Peoplemag, 19 Apr. 2024

This book is primarily intended for children, but Morris notes that adults can find enjoyment in all the bug puns and pop culture references sprinkled throughout. —Lilian Gonzalez, Billboard, 19 Apr. 2024

Neff, who also practices reiki and energy work, wanted to share that side of her passion in the name and design of her product, which plays heavily on sun and moon references. —Shayna Conde, Essence, 19 Apr. 2024

This reference comes with a bit of history, though. —EW.com, 19 Apr. 2024

Adjective

The gallery’s wall configuration, which has been fixed for quite some time, has now been opened up in refreshingly spacious ways that allow a viewer to visually cross-reference paintings. —Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 19 Nov. 2022

This is despite progress; many country national climate action plans now cross-reference gender, and country delegations include more women. —Catherine McKenna, Scientific American, 8 Nov. 2022

Some problems occurred because the system didn’t properly cross-reference country codes used on a money-laundering watchlist with the country codes used to process wire transfers, the SEC said. —Richard Vanderford, WSJ, 20 May 2022

State officials regularly cross-reference voting records with BMV records, which list someone’s citizenship status on their driver’s license. —Andrew J. Tobias, cleveland, 12 July 2021

This process sees them cross-reference lists of the dead from the Washington Department of Health and the Social Security Administration. —Tim Gruver, Washington Examiner, 11 Dec. 2020

The access could help OFAC cross-reference information with other investigators, including those in the U.S. intelligence community, said Mr. Lorber, a former senior adviser to the Treasury’s undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence. —Jack Hagel, WSJ, 7 Sep. 2020

Verb

Gold threads reference the Persian folklore of magic carpets, suggesting journeys across space and time. —Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2024

While Cole has been vocal in his response to Lamar, Drake only vaguely referenced the verse during a show shortly after. —Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024

Still, the email references commercial surveillance provider NSO Group, an Israeli company notorious for developing the Pegasus spyware, which can sometimes hijack a smartphone simply by sending the user a single message. —Michael Kan, PCMAG, 11 Apr. 2024

Flyover country Some waypoints reference Missouri and Kansas’ agricultural roots. —Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2024

And a fan at a Bruce Springsteen concert came with a sign that referenced the musician’s guest appearance on the show. —Whitney Friedlander, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024

In a statement on the bill, Wyden referenced Microsoft’s wide reach within the federal government. —Lauren Feiner, The Verge, 8 Apr. 2024

Mullins has referenced antisemitic conspiracy theories in her sermons at Calvary Church and told her congregation not to read or watch secular news. —Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2024

Mollison references SaGa Launder Bar and Cafe, a former Chicago laundromat with a bar inside and reminisces about attending small raves inside laundromats in the ‘90s in London. —Lina Abascal, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1856, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing reference

• cross-reference
• for future reference
• frame of reference
• in reference to
• make reference to
• point of reference
• reference library
• reference mark
• reference point
• self-reference
• terms of reference
• with reference to

Kids Definition

reference

1 of 2 noun

ref·​er·​ence ˈref-ərn(t)s 

ˈref-(ə-)rən(t)s

1

: the act of referring

2

: a relation to or concern with something : respect

with reference to what was said

3

a

: a remark referring to something : allusion

made reference to our agreement

b

: a sign or indication referring a reader to another book or portion of a written work

c

: use as sources of information

volumes for ready reference

4

a

: a person to whom questions as to another person's honesty or ability can be addressed

b

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

c

: a book, document, or portion of a written work to which a reader is referred

reference

2 of 2 adjective

: used or usable for reference

a reference point

Medical Definition

reference

1 of 2 adjective

ref·​er·​ence ˈref-(ə-)rən(t)s 

: of known potency and used as a standard in the biological assay of a sample of the same drug of unknown strength

a dose of reference cod-liver oil

reference

2 of 2

see idea of reference

Legal Definition

reference

noun

ref·​er·​ence ˈre-frəns, -fə-rəns 

1

: an act of referring

specifically : mention or citation of one document (as a statute) in another

a municipality may adopt by reference all or a part of this title

—Alaska Statutes

see also incorporate

2

: a referral especially to a legislative committee or master

also : an order referring a matter to a master

the extent to which any party is more responsible than other parties for the reference to a master

—Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 53(g)