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

In the two years that followed, more than 40% of referrals to the state’s Office of the Healthcare Advocate came from people who received denial letters with the new language. —Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 7 Oct. 2025

Most referrals to the program come from the medical community or a pediatrician, but anyone could make a referral. —Lina Ruiz october 7, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2025

So far, 12 defendants have been convicted in the ongoing corruption investigation into unlawful towing referrals for kickback payments. —Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025

Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. —Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 6 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing referral

• self-referral

Rhymes for referral

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

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