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 report doesn’t mention the knife or note referred to in Altamonte Springs police’s Friday news release.
—
Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
The American Heart Association said ASCVD can refer to a slew of conditions, including coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease — which can also signify a transient ischemic attack or ischemic stroke.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026
It's also sometimes referred to as the Bald Eagle Moon, Bear Moon and Groundhog Moon.
—Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 27 Jan. 2026
For those who are still not used to referring to the big concert venue on Savitt Way as The Meadows Music Theatre again after years as the Xfinity Theatre or the Comcast Theater, the Meadows name will soon be embedded in concertgoers’ brains simply due to the number of shows happening there.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026
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Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
The American Heart Association said ASCVD can refer to a slew of conditions, including coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease — which can also signify a transient ischemic attack or ischemic stroke.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026
It's also sometimes referred to as the Bald Eagle Moon, Bear Moon and Groundhog Moon.
—Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 27 Jan. 2026
For those who are still not used to referring to the big concert venue on Savitt Way as The Meadows Music Theatre again after years as the Xfinity Theatre or the Comcast Theater, the Meadows name will soon be embedded in concertgoers’ brains simply due to the number of shows happening there.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 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 29 Jan. 2026.
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