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

Parents can also look for community art centers, libraries, or find private lessons through word-of-mouth referrals. —Kris Ann Valdez, Parents, 4 Nov. 2025

Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. —Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 3 Nov. 2025

Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. —Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025

Two criminal referrals were filed against Mamdani’s campaign over the donations on Tuesday by the Coolidge Reagan Foundation. —Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2025

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
• 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