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

Watch for primary care physicians and dentists to more routinely screen partnered snorers for obstructive sleep apnea, and for CPAP and oral-appliance referrals to rise alongside sleep-divorce coverage. — Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Businesses should also track where referrals originate, which sources produce qualified prospects, how many introductions result in transactions and how long the process takes. — Peter Burns, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Crist said a lot of their referrals come from medical teams or family members. — Idaho Statesman, 18 Sep. 2026

The contempt referral now goes to the Justice Department, which must decide whether to pursue criminal charges as lawmakers demand answers about nondisclosure agreements tied to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. — Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 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