ref

1 of 2

noun

ˈref 

: a referee in a game or sport

ref

2 of 2

abbreviation

1

reference

2

refunding

Examples of ref in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The refs had absolutely zero business ‘finding’ one extra second. — Jason Kirk, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

The problem, Goldman’s chief economist noted, is that players who have only ever watched the ref don’t suddenly become great at the game. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Welcome to a Monday Nightcaps — the one where the best TV ref in the business tells a WNBA ref to keep Caitlin Clark's name out of her MOUTH. — Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Then, after a blatant double hit call was missed by the refs, Townsend lost focus just long enough to cost them the game. — Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1890, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ref

• chef
• clef
• deaf

Kids Definition

ref

noun

ˈref

: referee entry 1 sense 2