refer

verb

re·​fer ri-ˈfər 

referred; referring

transitive verb

1

a(1)

: to think of, regard, or classify within a general category or group

(2)

: to explain in terms of a general cause

b

: to allot to a particular place, stage, or period

c

: to regard as coming from or located in a specific area

2

a

: to send or direct for treatment, aid, information, or decision

refer a patient to a specialist

refer a bill back to a committee

b

: to direct for testimony or guaranty as to character or ability

intransitive verb

1

a

: to have relation or connection : relate

b

: to direct attention usually by clear and specific mention

no one referred to yesterday's quarrel

2

: to have recourse : glance briefly

referred frequently to his notes while speaking

referable

ˈre-f(ə-)rə-bəl  ri-ˈfər-ə- 

adjective

referrer

ri-ˈfər-ər 

noun

Synonyms

• appertain
• apply
• bear
• pertain
• relate

Examples of refer in a Sentence

How can doctors refer patients for treatment without examining them first?

Most of the patients we see here were referred by other doctors.

Recent Examples on the Web

When reached by phone Thursday, a Spectrum Academy employee referred The Salt Lake Tribune to Liz Banner, the institution’s Pleasant Grove regional academic director and Title IX coordinator. —The Salt Lake Tribune, 9 Sep. 2023

DeSantis' office referred USA Today to the Florida Department of Education for further comment. —Deborah Barfield Berry, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2023

The White House Counsel's office referred questions to Hunter Biden's personal attorneys. —Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2023

The Motion Picture Association, which represents the studios’ interests in Sacramento, referred questions to the California Chamber of Commerce. —Gene Maddaus, Variety, 7 Sep. 2023

The White House Counsel’s office referred questions to Hunter Biden’s personal attorneys. —Lindsay Whitehurst, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Sep. 2023

The version of the obituary that appeared in print on Sunday also referred incorrectly to Mr. Richardson’s survivors. —New York Times, 6 Sep. 2023

The final hearing: The House committee investigating the attack on the U.S. Capitol held its final public meeting where members referred four criminal charges against former president Donald Trump and others to the Justice Department. —Spencer S. Hsu, Washington Post, 5 Sep. 2023

When Chula Vista police forwarded their investigation to the District Attorney’s Office, a prosecutor in the office realized there would be a conflict of interest and referred the case to the state Attorney General’s Office, which ultimately declined to file charges. —Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Sep. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English referren, from Anglo-French referer, referir, from Latin referre to bring back, report, refer, from re- + ferre to carry — more at bear

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing refer

• cross-refer
• self-refer
• refer to
• refer to as

• cross-refer
• self-refer
• refer to
• refer to as

Kids Definition

refer

verb

re·​fer ri-ˈfər 

referred; referring

1

: to explain in terms of a general cause

referred the defeat to poor training

2

: to go, send, or guide to some person or place for treatment, help, advice, or information

refer them to a dictionary

refer a patient to a specialist

refer to the dictionary for the meaning of a word

3

: to have relationship : relate

the asterisk refers to a footnote

4

: to call attention : make reference

no one referred to yesterday's quarrel

referable

ˈref-(ə-)rə-bəl  ri-ˈfər-ə- 

adjective

referrer

ri-ˈfər-ər 

noun

Etymology

Middle English referren, referen "to think of or place in a certain relationship, make a connection with in the mind," derived from Latin referre, literally, "to carry back," from re- "back, again" and ferre "to bear, carry, yield" — related to defer entry 1, offer

Medical Definition

refer

transitive verb

re·​fer ri-ˈfər 

referred; referring

1

: to regard as coming from or localized in a certain portion of the body or of space

pain of appendicitis may be referred to any region of the abdomen

—Encyclopedia Americana

2

: to send or direct for diagnosis or treatment

refer a patient to a specialist

Legal Definition

refer

transitive verb

re·​fer ri-ˈfər 

referred; referring

: to send or direct for treatment, aid, service, information, or decision

referred the debtor to an attorney with expertise in bankruptcy

specifically : commit sense 1c