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

McDevitt said his research found that over the last twenty years, when independent clinics are acquired by DaVita or Fresenius, their transplant referrals drop by about 10%, their patient survival rates fall by 2%, hospitalizations increase by 5%, and infection rates go up by about 12%. —Sheena Samu, CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025

Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. —Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 8 Dec. 2025

Reuveni made his accusations as Boasberg's inquiry over a potential contempt referral remained on hold during appeal. —Steve Thompson The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 7 Dec. 2025

Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. —Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 7 Dec. 2025

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
• 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