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 referrals she was given went nowhere. —Windsor Johnston, NPR, 30 Sep. 2025

Attorney General Pam Bondi also authorized an investigation into mortgage fraud after Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, filed a criminal referral. —Solcyré Burga, Time, 30 Sep. 2025

With over 25 years of experience, Linda Ross is the referral-only aesthetician trusted by Aubrey Plaza, America Ferrera, Bebe Rexha, and Uzo Aduba. —Elycia Rubin, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2025

Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. —Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 28 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