Reference

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈɹɛf.ɹəns/, /ˈɹɛf.ɜː(ɹ).É™ns/

Origin

From refer + -ence.

Full definition of reference

Noun

1. A relationship or relation (to something).
• 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, III.1.3:all these are far more eminent and great, when they shall proceed from a sanctified spirit, that hath a true touch of religion and a reference to God.
2. A measurement one can compare to.
3. Information about a person, provided by someone (a referee) with whom they are well acquainted
4. A reference work.
5. (semantics) A relation between objects in which one object designates, or acts as a means by which to connect to or link to, another object.
6. (academic writing) A short written identification of a previously published work which is used as a source for a text.
7. (academic writing) A previously published written work thus indicated; a source.
8. (programming) An object containing information which refers to data stored elsewhere, as opposed to containing the data itself.
9. (programming, character entity) A special sequence used to represent complex characters in a web page such as ™ or €.
10. (obsolete) appeal
• ShakespeareMake your full reference.

Derived terms

• self-reference
• reference work
• reference book
• frame of reference
• point of reference
• reference manual

Verb

1. to refer to, to make reference to, to citeReference the dictionary for word meanings.
2. to mention

Usage notes

Some authorities object to the use of reference as a verb, preferring "refer to" or "cite".

Related terms

• referee
• referent
• referential