reference

[ ref-er-uhns, ref-ruhns ]

/ ˈrɛf ər əns, ˈrɛf rəns /

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noun

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.

reference mark(def 2).

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 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.

verb (used with object), ref·er·enced, ref·er·enc·ing.

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.

Nearby words

Origin of reference

First recorded in 1580–90; refer + -ence

SYNONYMS FOR reference

4 note, citation.

10 endorsement.

11 consideration, concern.

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Related forms

mis·ref·er·ence, nounnon·ref·er·ence, nounpre·ref·er·ence, nounsub·ref·er·ence, noun

un·ref·er·enced, adjective

Can be confusedallusion referencereference referral

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for reference

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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
Now the hackers, with their reference to the 9/11 attacks, suggest they are prepared to kill.
Kim Jong Un’s Kid Gloves Are Now Off|Gordon G. Chang|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This would, of course, require some moderation of regulatory standards, particularly in reference to climate change.
Legal but Still Poor: The Economic Consequences of Amnesty|Joel Kotkin|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST

She was also crudely nicknamed “La Boule” in a reference to the ball and chain.
Sight Unseen: Cézanne’s Mysterious Wife|Lizzie Crocker|November 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But don't suppose, Madam, Page 184that anything I say has reference to you.
Jack Sheppard|William Harrison Ainsworth
Every land is considered with reference to the fatherland, other known lands, the equator, and the poles.
The School System of Norway|David Allen Anderson
The reference is not to Judaistic ritualism, but to semi-Pagan philosophical speculation.
Expositor's Bible: The Epistles of St. John|William Alexander
The specific name griseus means gray, and probably has reference to the grayish color of the winter plumage.
Birds and Nature Vol. 9 No. 2 [February 1901]|Various
A connoisseur (again on reference behind the curtains) was one of those wealthy men who could swallow anything.
Bud|Neil Munro

British Dictionary definitions for reference

reference

/ (ˈrɛfərəns, ˈrɛfrəns) /

noun

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 allusionthis 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 expressionCompare 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 regardall 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

verb (tr)

to furnish or compile a list of references for (an academic thesis, publication, etc)

to make a reference to; refer tohe referenced Chomsky, 1956

preposition

commerce with reference toreference your letter of the 9th inst Abbreviation: re

Derived Formsreferencer, nounreferential (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

Word Origin and History for reference (1 of 2)

reference

1580s, "act of referring," from refer + -ance, or else from French référence, from Medieval Latin *referentia, from Latin referentem (nominative referens), present participle of referre (see refer). Meaning "direction to a book or passage" is recorded from 1610s. Meaning "testimonial" is from 1895. Reference book dates from 1808. Phrase in reference to is attested from 1590s.

Word Origin and History for reference (1 of 2)

reference

1620s, "to assign;" as "to provide with a reference," 1837 (implied in referenced), from reference (n.). Related: Referencing.

Idioms and Phrases with reference

reference

see in regard (reference) to.

reference

noun

verb (used with object), ref·er·enced, ref·er·enc·ing.

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of reference

Examples from the Web for reference

British Dictionary definitions for reference

reference

noun

verb (tr)

preposition

Word Origin and History for reference (1 of 2)

reference

Word Origin and History for reference (1 of 2)

reference

Idioms and Phrases with reference

reference