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

Saban would've had this ref bagging groceries at the Kroger before breakfast the next morning. — Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026

The refs ostensibly thought Leipold was running on the field to complain about the interference call. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2026

The refs have also flung their hankies for 177 false starts, the biggest tally in nearly 20 years. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 9 Oct. 2026

As Fever fans booed, and her teammates held her back, the Aces player pointed her finger in the man’s direction as if to help refs identify him. — Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 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