reference

[ ref-er-uhns, ref-ruhns ]

noun

1. an act or instance of referring.
2. a mention; allusion.
3. something for which a name or designation stands; denotation.
4. a direction in a book or writing to some other book, passage, etc.

   Synonyms: citation, note

5. a book, passage, etc., to which one is directed.
6. reference mark ( def 2 ).
7. material contained in a footnote or bibliography, or referred to by a reference mark.
8. use or recourse for purposes of information:

   a library for public reference.

9. a book or other source of useful facts or information, such as an encyclopedia, dictionary, etc.
10. a person to whom one refers for testimony as to one's character, abilities, etc.
11. a statement, usually written, as to a person's character, abilities, etc.

    Synonyms: endorsement

12. relation, regard, or respect:

    all persons, without reference to age.

    Synonyms: concern, consideration

verb (used with object)

, ref·er·enced, ref·er·enc·ing.

1. to furnish (a book, dissertation, etc.) with references:

   Each new volume is thoroughly referenced.

2. to arrange (notes, data, etc.) for easy reference:

   Statistical data is referenced in the glossary.

3. to refer to:

   to reference a file.

reference

/ ˈrɛfərəns; ˌrɛfəˈrɛnʃəl; ˈrɛfrəns /

noun

1. the act or an instance of referring
2. something referred, esp proceedings submitted to a referee in law
3. a direction of the attention to a passage elsewhere or to another book, document, etc
4. a book or passage referred to
5. a mention or allusion

   this book contains several references to the Civil War

6. philosophy
   1. the relation between a word, phrase, or symbol and the object or idea to which it refers
   2. the object referred to by an expression Compare sense
7. 1. a source of information or facts
   2. ( as modifier )

      a reference book

      a reference library

8. a written testimonial regarding one's character or capabilities
9. a person referred to for such a testimonial
10. 1. 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

    2. ( as modifier )

       a reference group

11. point of reference
    a fact forming the basis of an evaluation or assessment; criterion
12. terms of reference
    the specific limits of responsibility that determine the activities of an investigating body, etc

verb

1. to furnish or compile a list of references for (an academic thesis, publication, etc)
2. to make a reference to; refer to

   he referenced Chomsky, 1956

preposition

1. commerce with reference to re

   reference your letter of the 9th inst

Derived Forms

• referential, adjective
• ˈreferencer, noun

Other Words From

• 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of reference¹

First recorded in 1580–90; refer + -ence

Idioms and Phrases

see in regard (reference) to .

Example Sentences

In 2011 LGBT media outlet Queerty took the app to task for allegedly deleting accounts that made reference to being trans.

From The Daily Beast

He then provides some insight into his psyche - complete with Animal House reference.

From The Daily Beast

There is reference after reference to the “black community,” “black worth ethic,” and adherence to the “black value system.”

From The Daily Beast

Indeed, designers frequently reference each other in their shows—and the press never fails to notice.

From The Daily Beast

On his Instagram account (which has since been taken down), Brinsley made one reference to burning an American flag.

From The Daily Beast

These Eskimos were very fond of kite-flying, for its own sake, without reference to utility!

From Project Gutenberg

Had he not meant the Fleet to shove in K. must have made some reference to the second Division, surely.

From Project Gutenberg

For convenience of reference I now give the figure Alphabet tabulated.

From Project Gutenberg

She made no reference, for instance, to the fact that they might be frequently alone together now.

From Project Gutenberg

Take the memories of members of the learned professions—they are usually only reference memories.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• allusion
• hint
• innuendo
• mention
• note
• quotation