referral

noun

re·​fer·​ral ri-ˈfər-əl How to pronounce referral (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Van Cleve and Rendel have since seen referrals shift from Ostaszewski to Facebook and, more recently, to Reddit. Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026 The docket notes a referral to a Family Relations Officer. Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026 The owner allegedly billed Medicare for hospice services for patients who were not terminally ill and paid kickbacks for the referral of patients, according to prosecutors. Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026 Insight’s been building patient-facing AI assistants that take in referrals, reach out to patients and collect clinical history, and schedule low-risk, routine procedures. Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for referral

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of referral was circa 1790

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Referral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/referral. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

referral

noun
re·​fer·​ral ri-ˈfər-əl How to pronounce referral (audio)
: the act or an instance of referring

Medical Definition

referral

noun
re·​fer·​ral ri-ˈfər-əl How to pronounce referral (audio)
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 How to pronounce referral (audio)
: the act or an instance of referring
appealed the referral of the bill to the Budget Committee

More from Merriam-Webster on referral

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster