reference point
noun
: something that is used to judge or understand something else
The professor used the study as a reference point for evaluating and discussing other theories.
Examples of reference point in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That meant no longer using Berlusconi’s Milan as the one and only reference point.
—
James Horncastle, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
The bottom line Paying $85 to $95 for 1 ounce of silver represents the current realistic range for most standard bullion products, with the spot price of about $75 serving as your baseline reference point.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
One of his most impressive sets is Lawrence’s table tennis club, which began with a real building Fisk used as a reference point.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 6 Jan. 2026
Angell had nostalgia for the gold standard, favored using commodity prices as a reference point for inflation and cast eight dissenting votes on the Federal Open Market Committee — tied for seventh-most by any governor in Fed history.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reference point
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James Horncastle, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
The bottom line Paying $85 to $95 for 1 ounce of silver represents the current realistic range for most standard bullion products, with the spot price of about $75 serving as your baseline reference point.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
One of his most impressive sets is Lawrence’s table tennis club, which began with a real building Fisk used as a reference point.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 6 Jan. 2026
Angell had nostalgia for the gold standard, favored using commodity prices as a reference point for inflation and cast eight dissenting votes on the Federal Open Market Committee — tied for seventh-most by any governor in Fed history.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reference point
Cite this Entry
“Reference point.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reference%20point. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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