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

Police then made a referral to the Georgia Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) after escorting the mother and juvenile back to their home and making contact with the child's father, per the warrant cited by the outlet. —Nicole Acosta, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025

Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. —Jay Cannon, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025

Set up an affiliate program and offer them a healthy commission for referrals. —Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025

According to the referral, Cuomo told members of the House panel investigating the coronavirus pandemic that he was not involved in the review or drafting of a state health department report that was used to deflect criticism of his administration’s pandemic-era nursing home policies. —Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 21 Apr. 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