reference point

noun

: something that is used to judge or understand something else
The professor used the study as a reference point for evaluating and discussing other theories.

Examples of reference point in a Sentence

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Use the date as a reference point, not a deadline. Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 17 May 2026 Raising The Bar Anchoring relies on the principle of establishing a reference point that shapes how people make decisions. David Meade, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026 Using four Whitney Houston pop culture moments as a reference point, the team reimagined four new costumes for Ellie to wear during the half-time show. Audrey Noble, Vogue, 9 May 2026 The original aired endlessly on basic cable through the 2010s, becoming the kind of background-text rewatch that turns a movie into a generational reference point. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for reference point

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“Reference point.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reference%20point. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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