referred; referring
1
a(1)
: to think of, regard, or classify within a general category or group
(2)
: to explain in terms of a general cause
b
: to allot to a particular place, stage, or period
c
: to regard as coming from or located in a specific area
2
a
: to send or direct for treatment, aid, information, or decision
refer a patient to a specialist
refer a bill back to a committee
b
: to direct for testimony or guaranty as to character or ability
1
a
: to have relation or connection : relate
b
: to direct attention usually by clear and specific mention
no one referred to yesterday's quarrel
2
: to have recourse : glance briefly
referred frequently to his notes while speaking
Examples of refer in a Sentence
How can doctors refer patients for treatment without examining them first?
Most of the patients we see here were referred by other doctors.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Star-Telegram reach out to the Rangers for comment, and the team referred back to two statements when the statue was unveiled at Globe Life Field.
—
Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Mar. 2026
Reached for comment on the reason for the trip potentially being delayed, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly referred NBC News to Leavitt's comments in a Fox News interview.
—Will Clark, NBC news, 16 Mar. 2026
One such proposal, Senate Bill 135, would refer a ballot question to ask voters in November to remove state education funding from being subject to the TABOR cap.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026
Wendi Hawthorne, a spokeswoman for Parkland Health, said that federal law prohibits the hospital from discussing patient information and referred questions to the Department of Homeland Security.
—Aarón Torres, Dallas Morning News, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for refer
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Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Mar. 2026
Reached for comment on the reason for the trip potentially being delayed, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly referred NBC News to Leavitt's comments in a Fox News interview.
—Will Clark, NBC news, 16 Mar. 2026
One such proposal, Senate Bill 135, would refer a ballot question to ask voters in November to remove state education funding from being subject to the TABOR cap.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026
Wendi Hawthorne, a spokeswoman for Parkland Health, said that federal law prohibits the hospital from discussing patient information and referred questions to the Department of Homeland Security.
—Aarón Torres, Dallas Morning News, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for refer
Cite this Entry
“Refer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refer. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
refer
verb
re·fer
ri-ˈfər 
referred; referring
1
: to explain in terms of a general cause
referred the defeat to poor training
2
: to go, send, or guide to some person or place for treatment, help, advice, or information
refer them to a dictionary
refer a patient to a specialist
refer to the dictionary for the meaning of a word
3
: to have relationship : relate
the asterisk refers to a footnote
4
: to call attention : make reference
no one referred to yesterday's quarrel
Etymology
Middle English referren, referen "to think of or place in a certain relationship, make a connection with in the mind," derived from Latin referre, literally, "to carry back," from re- "back, again" and ferre "to bear, carry, yield" — related to defer entry 1, offer
Medical Definition
refer
transitive verb
re·fer
ri-ˈfər
referred; referring
1
: to regard as coming from or localized in a certain portion of the body or of space
pain of appendicitis may be referred to any region of the abdomen—Encyclopedia Americana
Encyclopedia Americana2
: to send or direct for diagnosis or treatment
refer a patient to a specialist
Legal Definition
refer
transitive verb
re·fer
ri-ˈfər
referred; referring
: to send or direct for treatment, aid, service, information, or decision
referred the debtor to an attorney with expertise in bankruptcy
specifically
: commit sense 1c
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