refer
verb
re·fer
| \ ri-ˈfər
\
\
referred;
referring
Definition of refer
1a(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
2a
: 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
1a
: 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
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Other Words from refer
referable
\ ˈre-f(ə-)rə-bəl
, ri-ˈfər-ə-
\
adjective
, ri-ˈfər-ə-
\
adjective
referrer
\ ri-ˈfər-ər
\
noun
\
noun
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 Capital Gazette reports the ban on the material commonly referred to as Styrofoam began Sunday in Annapolis. — USA TODAY, "Cat burglar, prison bats, USS Arizona Memorial: News from around our 50 states," 4 Sep. 2019 While the exterior of the house has become recognizable as the Brady home, all the interior scenes on The Brady Bunch were actually filmed on a separate soundstage, which the song is referring to. — Hannah Chubb, PEOPLE.com, "Watch the Brady Bunch Cast Recreate the Theme Song in First Look at Their New HGTV Show," 4 Sep. 2019 The name refers to a statistical model, based on deviations on a bell curve, that dictates the number of acceptable defects per million manufacturing steps. — Oliver Staley, Quartz at Work, "Whatever happened to Six Sigma?," 3 Sep. 2019 The back deck, which Ted and Malia refer to as their outdoor living room, has a retractable awning to for hot afternoons, and a stainless steel and glass railing. — Joan Morris, The Mercury News, "Sausalito houseboat a salute to modern Danish art and Hawaiian wood," 31 Aug. 2019 Friday marked the start of Florida's King Tides, a term that refers to the highest tides in any given period. — Jason Hanna, CNN, "Here are some of the reasons Hurricane Dorian is particularly dangerous," 30 Aug. 2019 For example, the Docking Bay 7 out west offers Ithorian Garden Loaf, which the menu refers to as plant-based. — Dewayne Bevil, orlandosentinel.com, "Disney Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge designed with subtle differences in its 2 versions," 27 Aug. 2019 The position of noble consort, which typically refers to a companion of the monarch, is separate from that of queen. — Hannah Beech, New York Times, "The Thai Palace Posted Photos of the King’s Consort. Then the Website Went Down.," 27 Aug. 2019 Sojourners magazine editor Jim Wallis was one of several who referred to Mitrovich’s prowess at dropping names. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: George Mitrovich recalled as friend to many, from busboys to millionaires," 26 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'refer.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for refer
refer
verb
English Language Learners Definition of refer
: to send (someone or something) to a particular person or place for treatment, help, advice, etc.
See the full definition for refer in the English Language Learners Dictionary
refer
verb
re·fer
| \ ri-ˈfər
\
\
referred;
referring
Kids Definition of refer
1
: to look at for information
She kept referring to her notes.
2
: to send or direct to some person or place for treatment, aid, information, or decision
The patient was referred to a specialist.
3
: to call attention
Jeremy wondered what had possessed him to refer to Prince Brat as his friend.— Sid Fleischman, The Whipping Boy
4
: to mention (something) in talking or writing
refer
transitive verb
re·fer
| \ ri-ˈfər
\
\
referred;
referring
Medical Definition of refer
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
2
: to send or direct for diagnosis or treatment
refer a patient to a specialist