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
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.
“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
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
Dancing was just the only reference point I had.
From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse
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.
