ref

noun

\ ˈref

How to pronounce ref (audio)

\

Definition of ref

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a referee in a game or sport

ref

abbreviation

Definition of ref (Entry 2 of 2)

1 reference

2 refunding

Examples of ref in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Kirkland becomes the first ref to work back-to-back All-Star Games since Jack Madden in 1993 and 1994. — Tim Reynolds, ajc, "NBA All-Star Game referees eager to represent peers, Atlanta," 6 Mar. 2021 Donaghy was the latest wrestling ref to side with the bad guy and used underhanded tactics against Savio Vega to pull off the illegitimate victory. — Dan Gelston, Star Tribune, "Fix is in! Disgraced ex-NBA ref Donaghy turns to wrestling," 28 Jan. 2021 Donaghy was the latest wrestling ref to side with the bad guy and used underhanded tactics against Savio Vega to pull off the illegitimate victory. — Dan Gelston, ajc, "Fix is in! Disgraced ex-NBA ref Donaghy turns to wrestling," 28 Jan. 2021 Emmanuel Duron, an all-star defensive tackle Edinburg High School, charged at referee Fred Gracia after Gracia ejected Duron for committing a late hit on the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo High School quarterback and then arguing with the ref about it. — ExpressNews.com, "Express Briefing: Border wall construction, far from complete, accelerates," 7 Dec. 2020 During the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, the Brazilian water polo team attacked a referee, requiring the police to step in and save the ref. — Gilbert Garcia, ExpressNews.com, "Garcia: Edinburg player thrived on a ferocity he couldn’t turn off," 5 Dec. 2020 Duron had been ejected for a pair of unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, per the Monitor, with the ref and player exchanging words. — Chris Bumbaca, USA TODAY, "School district removes team from playoffs after player tackles referee," 5 Dec. 2020 The ref can never see it because the defender is blocking him. — Katherine Fitzgerald, The Arizona Republic, "Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins wants NFL to count pass interference yards as receiving yards," 14 Nov. 2020 Anyone who has been to a kids’ game and witnessed seemingly normal parents suddenly unleash a screech from the depth of Hades at a ref, a coach or their poor kid can attest to that. — Washington Post, "Thought the world of youth sports was tough before? It’s worse during a pandemic.," 14 Sep. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ref.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

14 Mar 2021

Cite this Entry

“Ref.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ref. Accessed 14 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for ref

ref

noun

English Language Learners Definition of ref

informal : a referee in a game or sport

See the full definition for ref in the English Language Learners Dictionary

ref

noun

\ ˈref

\

Kids Definition of ref

: referee entry 1 sense 1

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