The meaning of REFERENCE is the act of referring or consulting. How to use reference in a sentence.

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REFERENCE definition: 1. a mention of something: 2. a writer or a book, article, etc. that is mentioned in a piece of…. Learn more.

Usage Note: Though originally a noun, reference is often used as a transitive verb meaning "to supply (a book, article, or other work) with references." People also use the verb to mean "To cite as a …

Dec 12, 2024 · Reference (noun): A standard for comparison or evaluation. The word "reference" primarily refers to mentioning or citing a source or information used for clarification or proof.

a direction of the attention, as in a book, to some other book, passage, etc.: [uncountable] You make reference to several authors in your paper. [countable] the use of references in a term paper.

A reference is someone you can rely on to put in a good word for you when applying for a job. Or, a reference might be an outside source you use in a research paper.

There are 16 meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun reference, two of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

In a piece of writing, a reference is a direction or citation leading a reader to another book or passage for more information, as in The author listed several references at the bottom of the page.