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
Trump has referred to aircraft carriers and their accompanying destroyers as armadas and flotillas.
—
Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026
Food apartheid refers to systemic injustices that restrict access to affordable and nutritious food, specifically for low-income residents and racial minorities.
—Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Taiwanese authorities have already implemented a policy requiring TSMC’s overseas plants to operate using technologies at least two generations behind the cutting-edge ones being deployed in Taiwan, a policy often referred to as the N-2 rule.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026
Clemency refers to the authority of the president or a state governor to forgive a crime through a pardon or to reduce a criminal sentence.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for refer to
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Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026
Food apartheid refers to systemic injustices that restrict access to affordable and nutritious food, specifically for low-income residents and racial minorities.
—Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Taiwanese authorities have already implemented a policy requiring TSMC’s overseas plants to operate using technologies at least two generations behind the cutting-edge ones being deployed in Taiwan, a policy often referred to as the N-2 rule.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026
Clemency refers to the authority of the president or a state governor to forgive a crime through a pardon or to reduce a criminal sentence.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
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 12 Feb. 2026.
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