point of reference
noun phrase
: something that is used to judge or understand something else
The professor used the study as a point of reference for evaluating and discussing other theories.
Examples of point of reference in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As a point of reference, research has shown that, on average, patients who are overweight or living with obesity can lose roughly anywhere from 10% to 20% of their total body weight on a GLP-1, depending on a few different factors.
—
Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 16 Apr. 2026
And thus would fade out what began as a frequent point of reference to Truman, who died in December 1972 — months after the opening of Arrowhead Stadium and months before the inaugural season at what became Kauffman Stadium.
—Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
While presidents of both parties have questioned its constitutionality—and Congress has never successfully compelled a withdrawal under its provisions—the law remains a central point of reference as the deadline nears.
—Nik Popli, Time, 14 Apr. 2026
As a point of reference, our teams record before Vicky was 220 wins-144 losses-39 ties, with Vicky 62 wins-110 losses-15 ties.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 23 Mar. 2026
The United States still matters to people in China as a point of reference.
—Lavender Au, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
The polls served as a point of reference for journalists and tracked data on partisanship and other rapid public opinion moves during a president's term, USA TODAY reported.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Vogue’s executive fashion director, Lisa Aiken offers another point of reference.
—Laura Jackson, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2026
Plotting the five tightest league tables at this stage (with the 2025-26 as a point of reference), the inaugural 1992-93 campaign was the tightest, with only one side (Nottingham Forest) failing to accrue 20 points and only one side (Norwich City) accruing more than 40 points after 22 games.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 16 Apr. 2026
And thus would fade out what began as a frequent point of reference to Truman, who died in December 1972 — months after the opening of Arrowhead Stadium and months before the inaugural season at what became Kauffman Stadium.
—Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
While presidents of both parties have questioned its constitutionality—and Congress has never successfully compelled a withdrawal under its provisions—the law remains a central point of reference as the deadline nears.
—Nik Popli, Time, 14 Apr. 2026
As a point of reference, our teams record before Vicky was 220 wins-144 losses-39 ties, with Vicky 62 wins-110 losses-15 ties.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 23 Mar. 2026
The United States still matters to people in China as a point of reference.
—Lavender Au, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
The polls served as a point of reference for journalists and tracked data on partisanship and other rapid public opinion moves during a president's term, USA TODAY reported.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Vogue’s executive fashion director, Lisa Aiken offers another point of reference.
—Laura Jackson, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2026
Plotting the five tightest league tables at this stage (with the 2025-26 as a point of reference), the inaugural 1992-93 campaign was the tightest, with only one side (Nottingham Forest) failing to accrue 20 points and only one side (Norwich City) accruing more than 40 points after 22 games.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Point of reference.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/point%20of%20reference. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
