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

Then ask your doctor for a referral. —Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025

Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. —Jay Cannon, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025

Federal prosecutors declined to act on Pulte’s referral for that property. —Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2025

James is the first of a handful of Trump foes targeted by the Federal Housing Finance Agency with criminal referrals to face charges. —Ella Lee, The Hill, 11 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