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reference point

American  
[ref-uh-ruhns point, ref-ruhns] / ˈrɛf ə rəns ˈpɔɪnt, ˈrɛf rəns /

noun

  • reference points
    plural
  1. something used as a comparison to aid in evaluation or understanding.

  2. 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.

See Examples For:

We started working on a few songs — the sound of Meridian Brothers became a reference point.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 4, 2026

Moises Caicedo was the defensive reference point while Enzo Fernandez pushed much higher rather than acting as a deep controller.

From BBC Jul. 2, 2026

Use the 4% rule as a reference point, rather than have it be the full plan.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 23, 2026

The “standard” anatomy shown in textbooks is therefore best understood not as a universal blueprint, but as a simplified reference point within a wide biological range.

From Science Daily Jun. 21, 2026

There was no easy reference point for my decision to pursue sport.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad

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