referral

noun

re·​fer·​ral ri-ˈfər-əl 

1

: the act, action, or an instance of referring

gave the patient a referral to a specialist

2

: one that is referred

Examples of referral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Last fiscal year, the organization managed 1,114 referrals and delivered more than 4,600 therapy sessions. —Elizabeth Hernandez, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024

Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. —Jordan Kellogg, The Enquirer, 6 Nov. 2024

One of his proudest moments was building a community of over 2,000 members (and counting), a milestone reached organically through referrals since Social Impact World’s founding in 2020. —Afdhel Aziz, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Your doctor may also conduct age-appropriate screening tests for certain cancers and administer vaccines as necessary, as well as administer mental-health questionnaires—and, if necessary, provide you with resources such as therapy referrals or medications to treat anxiety or depression. —Perri Ormont Blumberg, TIME, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing referral

• self-referral

Kids Definition

referral

noun

re·​fer·​ral ri-ˈfər-əl 

: the act or an instance of referring

Medical Definition

referral

noun

re·​fer·​ral ri-ˈfər-əl 

1

: the process of directing or redirecting (as a medical case or a patient) to an appropriate specialist or agency for definitive treatment

2

: an individual that is referred

Legal Definition

referral

noun

re·​fer·​ral ri-ˈfər-əl 

: the act or an instance of referring

appealed the referral of the bill to the Budget Committee