reference point
Americannoun
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something used as a comparison to aid in evaluation or understanding.
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a particular physical location used to navigate an area or find an object.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He said the late streetwear designer Virgil Abloh was a reference point for the new collection.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
On Tuesday, the stock successfully tested its 21-day exponential moving average, a key reference point for momentum traders.
From Barron's ● Jun. 10, 2026
“INAROW62” opens with a “Scott Pilgrim” sound bite, continuing a reference point Díaz previously explored on the “Sayonara” track “Ramona Flowers” — named after the titular character’s edgy female love interest.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 22, 2026
Using Amazon sales from August 2023 as a reference point, they calculated that approximately 1.55 trillion microplastic fibers could be released each month.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 18, 2026
The sun was low in the sky and surrounded as I was by trees, I had no reference point to tell me whether it was rising or setting.
From "Kindred" by Octavia Butler
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
