refer

verb

re·​fer ri-ˈfər 

referred; referring

transitive verb

1

a(1)

: to think of, regard, or classify within a general category or group

(2)

: to explain in terms of a general cause

b

: to allot to a particular place, stage, or period

c

: to regard as coming from or located in a specific area

2

a

: to send or direct for treatment, aid, information, or decision

refer a patient to a specialist

refer a bill back to a committee

b

: to direct for testimony or guaranty as to character or ability

intransitive verb

1

a

: to have relation or connection : relate

b

: to direct attention usually by clear and specific mention

no one referred to yesterday's quarrel

2

: to have recourse : glance briefly

referred frequently to his notes while speaking

referable

ˈre-f(ə-)rə-bəl  ri-ˈfər-ə- 

adjective

referrer

ri-ˈfər-ər 

noun

Synonyms

• appertain
• apply
• bear
• pertain
• relate

Examples of refer in a Sentence

How can doctors refer patients for treatment without examining them first?

Most of the patients we see here were referred by other doctors.

Recent Examples on the Web

Los Angeles Room & Board works with the County of Los Angeles, which refers foster youths and young adults coming out of the criminal justice system. —Hadley Meares, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Apr. 2024

For 10 days, Los Angeles Unified School District officials referred all questions to the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department — which is investigating the shooting. —Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2024

The office of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker − who sits on a national advisory board for Biden's campaign − and convention organizers referred questions about possible locations for the protests to city officials, who are in charge of the permitting process. —Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 27 Apr. 2024

District Attorney Ho said in a statement he’s asked the governor to refer Frank’s release to the full parole board, which consists of 21 commissioners appointed by Newsom. —Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 23 Apr. 2024

Marriott has referred the matter to Booking.com, and Booking.com will not help me. —Christopher Elliott, King Features Syndicate, The Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2024

Months later, a doctor at an oil spill medical station referred him to a specialist, and he was hospitalized again, said Herring, now 39. —Travis Loller, Fortune Europe, 19 Apr. 2024

Sheriff's investigators and the Yavapai County Medical Examiner referred the unsolved case to the genetic genealogy center at Ramapo College in January 2023. —Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2024

The teenager then detailed the abuse to a staff member at her high school who referred her to the principal. —Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 16 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English referren, from Anglo-French referer, referir, from Latin referre to bring back, report, refer, from re- + ferre to carry — more at bear

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing refer

• cross-refer
• refer to
• refer to as
• self-refer

Kids Definition

refer

verb

re·​fer ri-ˈfər 

referred; referring

1

: to explain in terms of a general cause

referred the defeat to poor training

2

: to go, send, or guide to some person or place for treatment, help, advice, or information

refer them to a dictionary

refer a patient to a specialist

refer to the dictionary for the meaning of a word

3

: to have relationship : relate

the asterisk refers to a footnote

4

: to call attention : make reference

no one referred to yesterday's quarrel

referable

ˈref-(ə-)rə-bəl  ri-ˈfər-ə- 

adjective

referrer

ri-ˈfər-ər 

noun

Etymology

Middle English referren, referen "to think of or place in a certain relationship, make a connection with in the mind," derived from Latin referre, literally, "to carry back," from re- "back, again" and ferre "to bear, carry, yield" — related to defer entry 1, offer

Medical Definition

refer

transitive verb

re·​fer ri-ˈfər 

referred; referring

1

: to regard as coming from or localized in a certain portion of the body or of space

pain of appendicitis may be referred to any region of the abdomen

—Encyclopedia Americana

2

: to send or direct for diagnosis or treatment

refer a patient to a specialist

Legal Definition

refer

transitive verb

re·​fer ri-ˈfər 

referred; referring

: to send or direct for treatment, aid, service, information, or decision

referred the debtor to an attorney with expertise in bankruptcy

specifically : commit sense 1c