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
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
The images captured by LPRs are put into a database for officers to access, often as their first point of reference in an investigation.
—Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
The tariffs levied on China by the United States were both a point of reference for Macron’s plan and a catalyst for it.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 13 Dec. 2025
Highland Park is located in the town of Kirkwall in Orkney, the northernmost part of Scotland that is at the same latitude as the very southern tip of Greenland, for point of reference.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 24 Nov. 2025
For those who don’t live in the region, mesquite chips used for grilling and smoking may be their only point of reference.
—Suzanne Wright, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
And Witt has another point of reference to define where the Titans are at in Year Three.
—Brian Robin, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025
And, on the subject of those other sports, the 4 Nations Face-Off was a natural point of reference.
—Joe Kozlowski, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
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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
The images captured by LPRs are put into a database for officers to access, often as their first point of reference in an investigation.
—Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
The tariffs levied on China by the United States were both a point of reference for Macron’s plan and a catalyst for it.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 13 Dec. 2025
Highland Park is located in the town of Kirkwall in Orkney, the northernmost part of Scotland that is at the same latitude as the very southern tip of Greenland, for point of reference.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 24 Nov. 2025
For those who don’t live in the region, mesquite chips used for grilling and smoking may be their only point of reference.
—Suzanne Wright, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
And Witt has another point of reference to define where the Titans are at in Year Three.
—Brian Robin, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025
And, on the subject of those other sports, the 4 Nations Face-Off was a natural point of reference.
—Joe Kozlowski, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Point of reference.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/point%20of%20reference. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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