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
What’s more, under the Trump administration, attorneys say United States Citizenship and Immigration Services has the discretion to refer applicants for deportation if their petition is denied. — Lauren Villagran, USA TODAY, "'Living in the shadows': Visa could give undocumented mass shooting victims chance to help," 20 Aug. 2019 Planned Parenthood formally pulled out of a federal family planning grant program this week rather than abide by a new Trump administration rule prohibiting clinics that receive the money to refer patients for abortions. — Lisa Donovan, chicagotribune.com, "The Spin: Unflattering report doesn’t just highlight bullying, sexual harassment in House Speaker Mike Madigan’s offices. It’s a window into normally highly secretive operations.," 20 Aug. 2019 Both Bugg and Alpin referred to the kick off of the Don’t Mess With Texas campaign 33 years ago that featured the playing of Texas guitar legend Stevie Ray Vaughan. — Karen Zurawski, Houston Chronicle, "TxDOT and Buc-ee’s: Clean bathrooms + clean roadsides = partnership," 20 Aug. 2019 Davidian referred to Avedian’s memorable 49-point performance in the 2003 championship game that gave Glendale the title in the third Pan-Armenian Games. — Glendale News-Press, "Homenetmen men’s team wins Pan-Armenian Games gold," 20 Aug. 2019 The agency referred all questions to the White House, which did not respond to a request for comment. — Yeganeh Torbati, ProPublica, "“No Comment”: Emails Show the VA Took No Action to Spare Veterans From a Harsh Trump Immigration Policy," 19 Aug. 2019 The number of appointments could increase if the initial doctor is a conscientious objector, meaning the woman must find another doctor to refer them. — Julia Hollingsworth, CNN, "New Zealand is finally trying to decriminalize abortion. Why has it taken so long?," 18 Aug. 2019 The law’s supporters say optometrists are already trained to perform the procedures but are being forced to refer patients elsewhere. — Washington Post, "Group sues over rejection of eye law referendum effort," 16 Aug. 2019 The former owners spent about 15 years restoring the home to its original Usonian design – a term used by Wright to refer to his vision of affordable housing for the masses. — Jennie Key, Cincinnati.com, "Frank Lloyd Wright's Boulter House in Clifton damaged in fire," 16 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