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 involved accounts later identified by watchdog group Anti-Corruption Data Collective, which analyzed publicly available Polymarket trading data, CNN reported. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 21 Aug. 2026

That disparity reflects whom the system was built to target — whose neighborhoods get referrals, whose noncompliance gets flagged as dangerous rather than overlooked, and whose poverty or hospitalization is interpreted as risk, not need. — Sakeena Trice, New York Daily News, 19 Aug. 2026

People under 45 at average risk who want a colonoscopy can typically get one with a doctor’s referral, but will likely pay out of pocket. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026

Melmark is state-funded, and without a referral, Sebastian cannot attend. — Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 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