reference
an act or instance of referring.
a mention; allusion.
something for which a name or designation stands; denotation.
a direction in a book or writing to some other book, passage, etc.
a book, passage, etc., to which one is directed.
material contained in a footnote or bibliography, or referred to by a reference mark.
use or recourse for purposes of information: a library for public reference.
a book or other source of useful facts or information, such as an encyclopedia, dictionary, etc.
a person to whom one refers for testimony as to one's character, abilities, etc.
a statement, usually written, as to a person's character, abilities, etc.
relation, regard, or respect: all persons, without reference to age.
to furnish (a book, dissertation, etc.) with references: Each new volume is thoroughly referenced.
to arrange (notes, data, etc.) for easy reference: Statistical data is referenced in the glossary.
to refer to: to reference a file.
Origin of reference
1Other words for reference
Other words from reference
- mis·ref·er·ence, noun
- non·ref·er·ence, noun
- pre·ref·er·ence, noun
- sub·ref·er·ence, noun
- un·ref·er·enced, adjective
Words that may be confused with reference
Words Nearby reference
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use reference in a sentence
This includes navigating influencers trying to sell them products and teaching them to look for references when information is provided to them.
A feminine wash for teens? Angry parents and gynecologists are on a social media crusade. | Abigail Higgins | February 12, 2021 | Washington PostIt also comes with a stand so you can use your mannequin as a reference for drawing mid-air poses.
Must-have art supplies to let your inner creative shine | Sandra Gutierrez G. | February 11, 2021 | Popular-ScienceYou never know when you’ll need it for reference or to show to someone.
Replacing pieces of flatware or china can be a challenge. Here’s how to track them down. | Laura Daily | February 11, 2021 | Washington PostIllumina’s sequencers read through each sample’s code and compare each letter to a reference sequence, looking for significant changes.
Why Opening Restaurants Is Exactly What the Coronavirus Wants Us to Do | Caroline Chen | February 6, 2021 | ProPublicaThere are frequent, if general, references to forces bigger than one’s self.
Peloton makes toning your glutes feel spiritual. But should Jesus be part of the experience? | Michelle Boorstein | February 5, 2021 | Washington Post
In 2011 LGBT media outlet Queerty took the app to task for allegedly deleting accounts that made reference to being trans.
He then provides some insight into his psyche - complete with Animal House reference.
Huckabee 2016: Bend Over and Take It Like a Prisoner! | Olivia Nuzzi | January 8, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTThere is reference after reference to the “black community,” “black worth ethic,” and adherence to the “black value system.”
Indeed, designers frequently reference each other in their shows—and the press never fails to notice.
On his Instagram account (which has since been taken down), Brinsley made one reference to burning an American flag.
Alleged Cop Killer Ismaaiyl Brinsley Had a Death Wish | M.L. Nestel | December 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThese Eskimos were very fond of kite-flying, for its own sake, without reference to utility!
The Giant of the North | R.M. BallantyneHad he not meant the Fleet to shove in K. must have made some reference to the second Division, surely.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I | Ian HamiltonFor convenience of reference I now give the figure Alphabet tabulated.
Assimilative Memory | Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)She made no reference, for instance, to the fact that they might be frequently alone together now.
The Wave | Algernon BlackwoodTake the memories of members of the learned professions—they are usually only reference memories.
Assimilative Memory | Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)
British Dictionary definitions for reference
/ (ˈrɛfərəns, ˈrɛfrəns) /
the act or an instance of referring
something referred, esp proceedings submitted to a referee in law
a direction of the attention to a passage elsewhere or to another book, document, etc
a book or passage referred to
a mention or allusion: this book contains several references to the Civil War
philosophy
the relation between a word, phrase, or symbol and the object or idea to which it refers
the object referred to by an expression: Compare sense (def. 12)
a source of information or facts
(as modifier): a reference book; a reference library
a written testimonial regarding one's character or capabilities
a person referred to for such a testimonial
(foll by to) relation or delimitation, esp to or by membership of a specific class or group; respect or regard: all people, without reference to sex or age
(as modifier): a reference group
point of reference a fact forming the basis of an evaluation or assessment; criterion
terms of reference the specific limits of responsibility that determine the activities of an investigating body, etc
to furnish or compile a list of references for (an academic thesis, publication, etc)
to make a reference to; refer to: he referenced Chomsky, 1956
commerce with reference to: reference your letter of the 9th inst Abbreviation: re
Derived forms of reference
- referencer, noun
- referential (ˌrɛfəˈrɛnʃəl), adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with reference
see in regard (reference) to.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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