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Definitions

reference

[ref-er-uhns, ref-ruhns] / ˈrɛf ər əns, ˈrɛf rəns /


NOUN
testimonial of good character
Synonyms
Antonyms
STRONGEST


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

But Epstein’s error wasn’t an unfortunate mashup of the two candidates’ names: It was a reference to John’s younger—and significantly more popular—brother, Chris Sununu, also the state’s most recent former governor.

From Slate ● Oct. 29, 2026

The rest of the crowd knows—as will the target audience at home—that the reference is to “MacArthur Park,” a prime example of why Mr. Webb was, and perhaps is, a musical revolutionary.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026

“And people are still living in their cars,”Miller said Wednesday in reference to fire victims who are still a long way from home.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 24, 2026

"I'm so cross with myself, I was wholly focusing on my Joanne issue," she added, with reference to her theory about Joanne McNally being a traitor.

From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026

It was his one remaining point of reference and he clung to it with a fierce Pavlovian tenacity, partly through habit and partly because he had nothing with which to replace it.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

Mr. Masko twice references Dartmouth’s Sian Beilock his op-ed wherein he argues for the separation of AI research from undergraduate education.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026

Your letter references how financial pressures, emotional turmoil, challenging workplace situations, addictions and mental-health challenges all play a role in how people deal with stressful situations.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 26, 2026

Wright said, put simply, none of the other pubs possessed the archaeological evidence, archival references or scientific data "to actually back up the claims".

From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026

The latter cocktail references a scene in the Raiders’ locker room: One of Ilya’s teammates sees him secretly texting Shane.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2026

So, again, I was left without references and relied on Phobos to guide me.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

His form has improved this year, with a car that he finds much more to his liking, and he has a number of times referenced these perfectly valid questions.

From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2026

Before her narrow loss, Hong referenced a since-deleted Wedgewood poll in a fundraising pitch to argue that her campaign had “momentum.”

From Slate ● Oct. 22, 2026

A Presbyterian seminarian, he frequently referenced his faith.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026

The Duxbury Bay mansion is believed to be the property referenced in one of the alleged post-breakup offers.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 9, 2026

The material introduced in this chapter will be referenced and built upon throughout the remainder of the book.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

“It’s a Tilt-A-Whirl, you’re getting whipped around,” Farley said during an interview with MarketWatch, referencing a popular carnival ride.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 22, 2026

Venture capitalist Marc Andreessen described it as a "Sputnik moment", referencing the 1957 launch of Earth's first artificial satellite by the Soviet Union that stunned the Western world.

From Barron's ● Oct. 21, 2026

Last week, Wrexham's owners aimed a dig at Southampton by referencing the scandal in a social media advert before the two teams met.

From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026

When Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy ludicrously urged Americans to dress up for travel, he was referencing this imaginary age of girdles and silk-stockinged women dolled up like Veronica Lake.

From Salon ● Sep. 18, 2026

“Sounds like a regular Caravan of Love,” I said, referencing an old Housemartins song my mom had played pretty much nonstop since I was a kid.

From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx


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