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reference

[ref-er-uhns, ref-ruhns] / ˈrɛf ər əns, ˈrɛf rəns /


NOUN
testimonial of good character
Synonyms
Antonyms
STRONGEST


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.

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The following weekend, almost 200 miles west, a middle-aged man stood near the stage at the start of another El-Sayed appearance and shouted a reference to the Quran and Bible.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026

Once in conversation, however, he is generous and deeply feeling, willing to engage in the messy project of shared meaning-making so long as it’s not the meaning of a particular reference, form or setting.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 21, 2026

In reference to the second comment, they said it was never meant to cause offence.

From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026

In the wireless business, AT&T reported 379,000 postpaid phone net additions, a reference to subscribers who pay for phone service at the end of a billing period instead of upfront.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 21, 2026

I’ll work there with the benefit of reference materials.

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

Wright said, put simply, none of the other pubs possessed the archaeological evidence, archival references or scientific data "to actually back up the claims".

From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026

The opening chapters distinguish various sorts of “tale,” with references to Herman Melville, Nikolai Gogol and others, moving on to German authors, including Goethe and Novalis.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

The large ensemble cast includes about 15 characters from different instalments of the video game series, and is packed with references and Easter eggs.

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

I kept looking up poems he references as I turned the pages.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026

Periodicals devoted to the subject appeared, and references to its doctrines pervaded popular literature.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos

Before her narrow loss, Hong referenced a since-deleted Wedgewood poll in a fundraising pitch to argue that her campaign had “momentum.”

From Slate ● Oct. 22, 2026

A Presbyterian seminarian, he frequently referenced his faith.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026

She also referenced the chorus of criticism that many homes along California's coast belong to the wealthy or are second homes, and that they never should've been built on such a vulnerable landscape.

From Barron's ● Oct. 12, 2026

The Duxbury Bay mansion is believed to be the property referenced in one of the alleged post-breakup offers.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 9, 2026

The italics used on this page indicate that the language from the referenced email is paraphrased, not directly quoted.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

"Specific dates and locations could be discussed through Panmunjom," said Kim, referencing the symbolic truce village where troops from both Koreas stand face-to-face.

From Barron's ● Oct. 23, 2026

“It’s a Tilt-A-Whirl, you’re getting whipped around,” Farley said during an interview with MarketWatch, referencing a popular carnival ride.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 22, 2026

“Crews are also continuing to reinforce vulnerable portions of the pedestrian boardwalk,” he wrote, referencing work the city did in advance of Hurricane Marie.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2026

Last week, Wrexham's owners aimed a dig at Southampton by referencing the scandal in a social media advert before the two teams met.

From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026

Everyone’s referencing the walkout without actually being specific.”

From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro


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