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

The team submitted a referral to Valley Oasis, a provider of trauma and homeless services and housing, a spokesman for the county Department of Homeless Services and Housing said. — Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Staff members offered support through hygiene kits, transportation, storage options for their belongings and referrals to community services. — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026

The nonprofit offers referrals to childcare facilities and affordable care for families. — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026

But last week, SpaceX quietly revamped the program to feature both service credits and cash payments, pegging the value at $100 per referral in the US. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2026

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

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