reference point
noun
: something that is used to judge or understand something else
The professor used the study as a reference point for evaluating and discussing other theories.
Examples of reference point in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Using Intuitive Surgical’s revenues as a reference point and ignoring the one-time sales revenue for a unit, each robotic surgery unit generates roughly $530,000 in instruments and accessories revenues and an additional $130,000 in servicing revenues each year.
—
Trefis Team, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024
Traditionally, engineers use a specific historical flood as a design reference point, says Steve Muench, a civil and environmental engineering professor at the University of Washington who studies transportation infrastructure.
—Aarian Marshall, WIRED, 5 Oct. 2024
But the system has some uniformity that gives you a reference point.
—Quanta Magazine, 25 Sep. 2024
Occasionally, such a name may have a sweetly private reference point — for instance, Shearer is called Sophie in Ewell’s novel, a name which relates to a circumstance from her first days on this planet.
—Chris Heath, Vulture, 31 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for reference point 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Trefis Team, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024
Traditionally, engineers use a specific historical flood as a design reference point, says Steve Muench, a civil and environmental engineering professor at the University of Washington who studies transportation infrastructure.
—Aarian Marshall, WIRED, 5 Oct. 2024
But the system has some uniformity that gives you a reference point.
—Quanta Magazine, 25 Sep. 2024
Occasionally, such a name may have a sweetly private reference point — for instance, Shearer is called Sophie in Ewell’s novel, a name which relates to a circumstance from her first days on this planet.
—Chris Heath, Vulture, 31 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for reference point
Dictionary Entries Near reference point
Cite this Entry
“Reference point.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reference%20point. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share