ref

1 of 2

noun

ˈref 

: a referee in a game or sport

ref

2 of 2

abbreviation

1

reference

2

refunding

Examples of ref in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But that’s not how the VAR system works, because the Premier League fears that every key decision would end with the ref staring at the pitchside monitor. — Graham Scott, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Based on that explanation, Whittingham and Odom believe the refs got it right. — Michael Marot, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2026

The problem, Goldman’s chief economist noted, is that players who have only ever watched the ref don’t suddenly become great at the game. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Welcome to a Monday Nightcaps — the one where the best TV ref in the business tells a WNBA ref to keep Caitlin Clark's name out of her MOUTH. — Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1890, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ref

• chef
• clef
• deaf

Kids Definition

ref

noun

ˈref

: referee entry 1 sense 2