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

This focus on partnership over transaction is why so much of TSC’s business comes from referrals. —Matt Emma, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025

After all, the President of the United States is a creature of corporate America, now leveraging his office to alter seemingly every aspect of business, through tariffs, firings (some driven by referrals from Pulte), appointments and novel legal theories. —Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025

Expanding meant showing up at expos, advertising in local publications and relying on referrals. —Jonathan Durante, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Of community referrals, 81% did not offend at all. —Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 3 Sep. 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