referral

noun

re·​fer·​ral ri-ˈfər-əl 

1

: the act, action, or an instance of referring

gave the patient a referral to a specialist

2

: one that is referred

Examples of referral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Patients can consult their primary care physician for referrals to genetic counselors. —Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 15 May 2026

Women assemble the patchwork themselves including ibuprofen, a heating pad, a referral to pelvic physical therapy, maybe a CBD product found on Instagram. —Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026

Contact your veterinarian, explain your emotional state and ask for a referral to a grief support group. —Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 14 May 2026

One key in good PMOS treatment is finding healthcare providers who can really take the time to look at the whole picture and make good referrals to make a plan together, Boots said. —Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 13 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing referral

• self-referral

Rhymes for referral

• deferral
• epidural
• postdoctoral
• predoctoral
• neral
• squirrel

Kids Definition

referral

noun

re·​fer·​ral ri-ˈfər-əl 

: the act or an instance of referring

Medical Definition

referral

noun

re·​fer·​ral ri-ˈfər-əl 

1

: the process of directing or redirecting (as a medical case or a patient) to an appropriate specialist or agency for definitive treatment

2

: an individual that is referred

Legal Definition

referral

noun

re·​fer·​ral ri-ˈfər-əl 

: the act or an instance of referring

appealed the referral of the bill to the Budget Committee