reference

1 of 3

noun

ref·​er·​ence ˈre-fərn(t)s 

ˈre-f(ə-)rən(t)s

1

: the act of referring or consulting

2

: a bearing on a matter : relation

in reference to your recent letter

3

: something that refers: such as

a

: allusion, mention

b

: something (such as a sign or indication) that refers a reader or consulter to another source of information (such as a book or passage)

c

: consultation of sources of information

4

: one referred to or consulted: such as

a

: a person to whom inquiries as to character or ability can be made

b

: a statement of the qualifications of a person seeking employment or appointment given by someone familiar with the person

c(1)

: a source of information (such as a book or passage) to which a reader or consulter is referred

(2)

: a work (such as a dictionary or encyclopedia) containing useful facts or information

d

: denotation, meaning

reference

2 of 3

adjective

: used or usable for reference

especially : constituting a standard for measuring or constructing

reference

3 of 3

verb

referenced; referencing

transitive verb

1

a

: to supply with references

b

: to cite in or as a reference

2

: to put in a form (such as a table) adapted to easy reference

Synonyms

Noun

• authority
• source

Examples of reference in a Sentence

Noun

references to an earlier event

The numbers were calculated by reference to the most recent census.

Reference to a map will make the position clear.

She listed her former teacher as a reference when she applied for the job.

Her former teacher gave her a reference when she applied for the job.

Her teacher gave her a letter of reference.

Adjective

a list of reference materials

Verb

The book references many other authors who have written on this topic.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For reference, Naylor inked a one-year, $10.9 million deal in his final year of arbitration. —Tim Britton, New York Times, 13 May 2025

The campsite’s name is a reference to the Valley Forge Lodge, which operated in the area in the early 1900s. —Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2025

Adjective

The gallery’s wall configuration, which has been fixed for quite some time, has now been opened up in refreshingly spacious ways that allow a viewer to visually cross-reference paintings. —Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 19 Nov. 2022

This is despite progress; many country national climate action plans now cross-reference gender, and country delegations include more women. —Catherine McKenna, Scientific American, 8 Nov. 2022

Verb

At one point, Alexander referenced another woman Mitchell had recently dated. —Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2025

Nothing in the photo or post referenced South Africa or politics. —Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 15 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1730, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing reference

• cross-reference
• for future reference
• frame of reference
• in reference to
• make reference to
• point of reference
• reference library
• reference mark
• reference point
• self-reference
• terms of reference
• with reference to

Rhymes for reference

• deference
• preference

Kids Definition

reference

1 of 2 noun

ref·​er·​ence ˈref-ərn(t)s 

ˈref-(ə-)rən(t)s

1

: the act of referring

2

: a relation to or concern with something : respect

with reference to what was said

3

a

: a remark referring to something : allusion

made reference to our agreement

b

: a sign or indication referring a reader to another book or portion of a written work

c

: use as sources of information

volumes for ready reference

4

a

: a person to whom questions as to another person's honesty or ability can be addressed

b

: a statement of the qualifications of a person seeking employment or appointment given by someone familiar with them

c

: a book, document, or portion of a written work to which a reader is referred

reference

2 of 2 adjective

: used or usable for reference

a reference point

Medical Definition

reference

1 of 2 adjective

ref·​er·​ence ˈref-(ə-)rən(t)s 

: of known potency and used as a standard in the biological assay of a sample of the same drug of unknown strength

a dose of reference cod-liver oil

reference

2 of 2

see idea of reference

Legal Definition

reference

noun

ref·​er·​ence ˈre-frəns, -fə-rəns 

1

: an act of referring

specifically : mention or citation of one document (as a statute) in another

a municipality may adopt by reference all or a part of this title

—Alaska Statutes

see also incorporate

2

: a referral especially to a legislative committee or master

also : an order referring a matter to a master

the extent to which any party is more responsible than other parties for the reference to a master

—Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 53(g)