reference
noun
an act or instance of referring.
was referencing
-
past progressiveof reference.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
When Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy ludicrously urged Americans to dress up for travel, he was referencing this imaginary age of girdles and silk-stockinged women dolled up like Veronica Lake.
From Salon ● Sep. 18, 2026
It didn’t even matter that Lalas was referencing a first-half exchange between Ian Darke and Landon Donovan.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026
Hellberg was referencing the Spygate scandal, with Saints charged by the English Football League with breaking rules by observing one of his final training sessions before last Saturday's first leg at the Riverside.
From BBC ● May 13, 2026
“It brings up mixed emotions to represent the U.S. right now,” said freestyle skier Hunter Hess, who was referencing the ongoing federal immigration raids in Minnesota.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 8, 2026
He was referencing her real life—indirectly, to an extent, though everyone knew the subtext.
From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove
