referred; referring
1
a(1)
: to think of, regard, or classify within a general category or group
(2)
: to explain in terms of a general cause
b
: to allot to a particular place, stage, or period
c
: to regard as coming from or located in a specific area
2
a
: to send or direct for treatment, aid, information, or decision
refer a patient to a specialist
refer a bill back to a committee
b
: to direct for testimony or guaranty as to character or ability
1
a
: to have relation or connection : relate
b
: to direct attention usually by clear and specific mention
no one referred to yesterday's quarrel
2
: to have recourse : glance briefly
referred frequently to his notes while speaking
Examples of refer in a Sentence
How can doctors refer patients for treatment without examining them first?
Most of the patients we see here were referred by other doctors.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Chicago Police Department, in response to questions about the shooter, referred Fox News Digital to its prior news releases.
—
Beth Bailey, Fox News, 3 Nov. 2024
In response to a request for comment, the Trump campaigned referred The Hill to a post made Friday by Trump on Truth Social in which the former president attacked the former lawmaker and her father on foreign policy.
—Juliann Ventura, The Hill, 1 Nov. 2024
In addition, Mata referred Owens for felony prosecution for violating Arizona's laws regarding perjury and evidence tampering.
—Jimmy Jenkins, The Arizona Republic, 1 Nov. 2024
Lindell referred specific questions to Patrick Colbeck, chief operating officer at Lindell Management.
—Josh Margolin, ABC News, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for refer 
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Beth Bailey, Fox News, 3 Nov. 2024
In response to a request for comment, the Trump campaigned referred The Hill to a post made Friday by Trump on Truth Social in which the former president attacked the former lawmaker and her father on foreign policy.
—Juliann Ventura, The Hill, 1 Nov. 2024
In addition, Mata referred Owens for felony prosecution for violating Arizona's laws regarding perjury and evidence tampering.
—Jimmy Jenkins, The Arizona Republic, 1 Nov. 2024
Lindell referred specific questions to Patrick Colbeck, chief operating officer at Lindell Management.
—Josh Margolin, ABC News, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for refer
Articles Related to refer
Dictionary Entries Near refer
Cite this Entry
“Refer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refer. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
refer
verb
re·fer
ri-ˈfər 
referred; referring
1
: to explain in terms of a general cause
referred the defeat to poor training
2
: to go, send, or guide to some person or place for treatment, help, advice, or information
refer them to a dictionary
refer a patient to a specialist
refer to the dictionary for the meaning of a word
3
: to have relationship : relate
the asterisk refers to a footnote
4
: to call attention : make reference
no one referred to yesterday's quarrel
Etymology
Middle English referren, referen "to think of or place in a certain relationship, make a connection with in the mind," derived from Latin referre, literally, "to carry back," from re- "back, again" and ferre "to bear, carry, yield" — related to defer entry 1, offer
Medical Definition
refer
transitive verb
re·fer
ri-ˈfər
referred; referring
1
: to regard as coming from or localized in a certain portion of the body or of space
pain of appendicitis may be referred to any region of the abdomen—Encyclopedia Americana
Encyclopedia Americana2
: to send or direct for diagnosis or treatment
refer a patient to a specialist
Legal Definition
refer
transitive verb
re·fer
ri-ˈfər
referred; referring
: to send or direct for treatment, aid, service, information, or decision
referred the debtor to an attorney with expertise in bankruptcy
specifically
: commit sense 1c
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