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.
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
Kennedy, of course, was referencing the slogan “believe women,” which advocates for victims of sexual violence crafted to reflect the studies that show over 90% of rape allegations are true.
From Salon ● Sep. 29, 2025
He was referencing the movement to radically enhance and evolve humans to achieve immortality.
From Slate ● Jul. 28, 2025
He was referencing Ray’s job as a Schwan’s man, delivering frozen foods across the plains of eastern Montana.
From "The Miseducation of Cameron Post" by emily m. danforth
