refers; referred; referring
: to send (someone or something) to a particular person or place for treatment, help, advice, etc.
How can doctors refer patients for treatment without examining them first?
Most of the patients we see here were referred by other doctors.
—usually + toMy doctor referred me to a specialist.
The Senate bill has been referred to the Finance Committee.
The company is referring people to its Web site for more information.
Cite this Entry
“Refer.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/refer. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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