Reference (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

noun
  1. an act or instance of referring.
  2. a mention; allusion.
  3. something for which a name or designation stands; denotation.
  4. a direction in a book or writing to some other book, passage, etc.
  5. a book, passage, etc., to which one is directed.
  6. reference mark (def. 2).
  7. material contained in a footnote or bibliography, or referred to by a reference mark.
  8. use or recourse for purposes of information: a library for public reference.
  9. a book or other source of useful facts or information, such as an encyclopedia, dictionary, etc.
  10. a person to whom one refers for testimony as to one's character, abilities, etc.
  11. a statement, usually written, as to a person's character, abilities, etc.
  12. relation, regard, or respect: all persons, without reference to age.
verb (used with object), ref·er·enced, ref·er·enc·ing.
  1. to furnish (a book, dissertation, etc.) with references: Each new volume is thoroughly referenced.
  2. to arrange (notes, data, etc.) for easy reference: Statistical data is referenced in the glossary.
  3. to refer to: to reference a file.
noun
  1. the act or an instance of referring
  2. something referred, esp proceedings submitted to a referee in law
  3. a direction of the attention to a passage elsewhere or to another book, document, etc
  4. a book or passage referred to
  5. a mention or allusion
  6. philosophy
    • the relation between a word, phrase, or symbol and the object or idea to which it refers
    • the object referred to by an expression
    • a source of information or facts
    • (as modifier)
  7. a written testimonial regarding one's character or capabilities
  8. a person referred to for such a testimonial
    • relation or delimitation, esp to or by membership of a specific class or group; respect or regard
    • (as modifier)
  9. a fact forming the basis of an evaluation or assessment; criterion
  10. the specific limits of responsibility that determine the activities of an investigating body, etc
verb (tr)
  1. to furnish or compile a list of references for (an academic thesis, publication, etc)
  2. to make a reference to; refer to
preposition
  1. with reference to
Reference (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

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