reference

[ref-er-uhns, ref-ruhns]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR reference ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

Origin of reference

First recorded in 1580–90; refer + -ence

Related formsmis·ref·er·ence, nounnon·ref·er·ence, nounpre·ref·er·ence, nounsub·ref·er·ence, nounun·ref·er·enced, adjective

Can be confusedallusion referencereference referral

Synonyms for reference

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR reference ON THESAURUS.COM

4. note, citation. 10. endorsement. 11. consideration, concern.

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

Related Words for referencing

ascribe, attribute, impute, appoint, authorize, hire, elect, name, nominate, empower, attach, charge, draft, allow, accredit, commit, entrust, refer, select, designate

Examples from the Web for referencing

Contemporary Examples of referencing

“I like decorating my slaves,” she said, referencing the rope, her thin, crimson-coated lips peeling off her front teeth.
Dungeons and Genital Clamps: Inside a Legendary BDSM Chateau
Ian Frisch
December 20, 2014
A business partner mentioned a failed phone call, also referencing the mysterious Krystal.
Where Cellphone Numbers Go to Die
Jon Methven
August 16, 2014
I think all of us who are impacted by it have been referencing it in one way or another for years in our work.
‘Phineas and Ferb’ Pilot Disney’s Premier Voyage into ‘Star Wars’
Jason Lynch
July 25, 2014
Its name roughly translates to “pig pear,” referencing the only animals contented to eat it.
What to Drink When it’s Cold? The Glory of Austrian Schnaps
Jordan Salcito
January 25, 2014
He was referencing the only Village folk club with a liquor license in those days.
Fact Vs. Fiction in ‘Inside Llewyn Davis’: The Real Story of Folk is Far Less Dejected Than the Movie
Jimmy So
December 4, 2013

Historical Examples of referencing

Footnotes have been moved to follow the referencing paragraph.
The Decoration of Leather
Georges de Rcy
Footnotes have been moved so as to follow the referencing paragraph.
The Argentine in the Twentieth Century
Albert B. Martinez
Footnotes have been coalesced and moved so as to follow the referencing paragraph.
The Natural Cure of Consumption, Constipation, Bright's Disease, Neuralgia, Rheumatism,
Charles Edward Page
As it is uncertain what precisely the author was referencing, the text is preserved as printed.
The Student's Mythology
Catherine Ann White
Simple typographical errors were corrected, sometimes by referencing other editions of these stories.
A Rainy June and Other Stories
Ouida

British Dictionary definitions for referencing

reference

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 referencing

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.

reference

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

Idioms and Phrases with referencing

reference

see in regard (reference) to.