refer to
phrasal verb
referred to; referring to; refers to
1
: to look at or in (something) for information
She often refers to her notes when giving a speech.
Please refer to our website for more information.
2
: to have a direct connection or relationship to (something)
The word "finch" refers to a kind of bird.
The numbers shown in the text refer to footnotes at the bottom of the page.
3
: to talk about or write about (someone or something) especially briefly : to mention (someone or something) in speech or in writing
No one referred to the incident.
Examples of refer to in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The authors refer to this as the Shared Musical Activities in Relationships (SMAR) model, demonstrating the way music can subtly coordinate emotions, fuel better communication and create deeper relational trust.
—
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
The Context The phrase infinite workday refers to being constantly connected to work, from dawn until late at night.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
The refrain Khalil referred to was often chanted by activists at pro-Palestine demonstrations at Columbia University that Khalil helped lead and organize as a graduate student.
—Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 23 June 2025
The previous run Parton is referring to was at the Mirage in the early ’90s, a much more extensive one than this is initially announced to be.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for refer to
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Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
The Context The phrase infinite workday refers to being constantly connected to work, from dawn until late at night.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
The refrain Khalil referred to was often chanted by activists at pro-Palestine demonstrations at Columbia University that Khalil helped lead and organize as a graduate student.
—Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 23 June 2025
The previous run Parton is referring to was at the Mirage in the early ’90s, a much more extensive one than this is initially announced to be.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for refer to
Cite this Entry
“Refer to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refer%20to. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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