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 lifestyle — couture polish, social glamour, and the conviction that elegance could be a form of power — remains a reference point even as fashion accelerates toward louder branding and faster cycles.
—
Thomas Adamson, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
What’s changed since Minneapolis became a global reference point for bystander video in 2020 in the wake of George Floyd’s murder is how thoroughly camera systems, especially smartphones, are now entangled with the wider surveillance ecosystem.
—Nicole M. Bennett, The Conversation, 21 Jan. 2026
In calibrating that tonal balance, Watts looked to a reference point outside the world of horror movies.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 21 Jan. 2026
Jennifer Le, for her part, has become a frequent reference point whenever celebrities want that specific mix of height, surface texture and showpiece trim.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reference point
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Thomas Adamson, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
What’s changed since Minneapolis became a global reference point for bystander video in 2020 in the wake of George Floyd’s murder is how thoroughly camera systems, especially smartphones, are now entangled with the wider surveillance ecosystem.
—Nicole M. Bennett, The Conversation, 21 Jan. 2026
In calibrating that tonal balance, Watts looked to a reference point outside the world of horror movies.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 21 Jan. 2026
Jennifer Le, for her part, has become a frequent reference point whenever celebrities want that specific mix of height, surface texture and showpiece trim.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 16 Jan. 2026
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 26 Jan. 2026.
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