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.
Other patient populations may be more litigious than those served by the clinic, which could pressure providers to order extra tests and unnecessary referrals. Helen Ouyang, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2025 Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Jay Cannon, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025 The church must walk beside survivors through prayer, listening, and referral to professional care, respecting each woman’s pace toward wholeness. Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025 Last month, an organization representing some of the world’s largest publishers, Digital Content Next (DCN), found that median year-over-year referral traffic from Google Search was down 10% in May and June 2025. PC Magazine, 18 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for referral

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of referral was in 1927

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Referral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/referral. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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

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