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

Build a predictable referral engine using ChatGPT by first checking in with happy customers to ensure satisfaction and open the door for requests. —Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026

Then shop on your own through referrals from family and friends and the like. —Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 4 June 2026

The referral was first reported by NPR. —Jake Offenhartz, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026

Pulte last year filed a criminal referral against Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook for mortgage fraud based on Cook allegedly claiming two different properties as her primary residence at the same time. —Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 2 June 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