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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
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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