ref·er·ence
ˈre-fərn(t)s 
ˈre-f(ə-)rən(t)s
1
: the act of referring or consulting
2
: a bearing on a matter : relation
in reference to your recent letter
3
4
: one referred to or consulted: such as
a
: a person to whom inquiries as to character or ability can be made
b
: a statement of the qualifications of a person seeking employment or appointment given by someone familiar with the person
c(1)
: a source of information (such as a book or passage) to which a reader or consulter is referred
(2)
: a work (such as a dictionary or encyclopedia) containing useful facts or information
d
: used or usable for reference
especially
: constituting a standard for measuring or constructing
referenced; referencing
1
a
: to supply with references
b
: to cite in or as a reference
2
: to put in a form (such as a table) adapted to easy reference
Synonyms
Examples of reference in a Sentence
Noun
references to an earlier event
The numbers were calculated by reference to the most recent census.
Reference to a map will make the position clear.
She listed her former teacher as a reference when she applied for the job.
Her former teacher gave her a reference when she applied for the job.
Her teacher gave her a letter of reference.
Adjective
a list of reference materials
Verb
The book references many other authors who have written on this topic.
Recent Examples on the Web
PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024
For reference, Smith played 66 percent of snaps last year, and 80 percent of snaps in 2022.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 19 Nov. 2022
This is despite progress; many country national climate action plans now cross-reference gender, and country delegations include more women.
—Catherine McKenna, Scientific American, 8 Nov. 2022
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
The second hashtag also referenced the former President calling out Barack Obama for wearing a tan suit in 2014 and Harris doing the same at the Democratic National Convention in August.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for reference 
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Noun
Some of these data collections, such as character sheets, are for your reference only.
—PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024
For reference, Smith played 66 percent of snaps last year, and 80 percent of snaps in 2022.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
The gallery’s wall configuration, which has been fixed for quite some time, has now been opened up in refreshingly spacious ways that allow a viewer to visually cross-reference paintings.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 19 Nov. 2022
This is despite progress; many country national climate action plans now cross-reference gender, and country delegations include more women.
—Catherine McKenna, Scientific American, 8 Nov. 2022
Verb
Hamlin pointedly referenced Kyle Larson's standout 2024 season, where Larson secured six victories—more than any other driver—yet failed to advance to the coveted Championship 4.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
The second hashtag also referenced the former President calling out Barack Obama for wearing a tan suit in 2014 and Harris doing the same at the Democratic National Convention in August.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for reference
Dictionary Entries Near reference
Cite this Entry
“Reference.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reference. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reference
1 of 2 noun
ref·er·ence
ˈref-ərn(t)s
ˈref-(ə-)rən(t)s
1
: the act of referring
2
: a relation to or concern with something : respect
with reference to what was said
3
a
: a remark referring to something : allusion
made reference to our agreement
b
: a sign or indication referring a reader to another book or portion of a written work
c
: use as sources of information
volumes for ready reference
4
a
: a person to whom questions as to another person's honesty or ability can be addressed
b
: a statement of the qualifications of a person seeking employment or appointment given by someone familiar with them
c
: a book, document, or portion of a written work to which a reader is referred
reference
2 of 2 adjective
: used or usable for reference
a reference point
Medical Definition
reference
1 of 2 adjective
ref·er·ence
ˈref-(ə-)rən(t)s
: of known potency and used as a standard in the biological assay of a sample of the same drug of unknown strength
a dose of reference cod-liver oil
reference
2 of 2Legal Definition
reference
noun
ref·er·ence
ˈre-frəns, -fə-rəns
1
: an act of referring
specifically
: mention or citation of one document (as a statute) in another
a municipality may adopt by reference all or a part of this title —Alaska Statutes
see also incorporate
Alaska Statutes 2
: a referral especially to a legislative committee or master
also
: an order referring a matter to a master
the extent to which any party is more responsible than other parties for the reference to a master —Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 53(g)
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 53(g) Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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