reference point
Americannoun
-
something used as a comparison to aid in evaluation or understanding.
-
a particular physical location used to navigate an area or find an object.
Other Word 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.
Using your cellphone, take photos of the newspaper kite design on the L1 cover and on pages L6-7 and L10 before you start cutting so you have a reference point.
From Los Angeles Times • May 3, 2026
At the start of 2023-24, Tottenham's Cristian Romero wrongly escaped a VAR red card after pulling the hair of Chelsea's Marc Cucurella - that proved to be a reference point for the future.
From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026
The test lasted about 70 minutes, allowing them to practice approaching and backing away from part of the rocket, which served as a reference point for Orion’s movements.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026
"We now have a reference point that allows us to accurately identify more scrappy finds and map out evolutionary transitions in anatomy and body size."
From Science Daily • Mar. 10, 2026
There was no easy reference point for my decision to pursue sport.
From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad
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.
