referred; referring

transitive verb

1
a(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
2
a
: 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

intransitive verb

1
a
: 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The federal courts will not refer allegations that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas may have violated ethics laws to the Justice Department, the judiciary’s policymaking body said this week. Lindsay Whitehurst, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025 The Office of Congressional Ethics refers complaints about representatives to the House Ethics Committee. Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2025 The governor’s office referred a request for comment to EDD. Lia Russell, Sacramento Bee, 3 Jan. 2025 The committee referred the decision to the president, giving him 15 days to act. Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for refer 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English referren, from Anglo-French referer, referir, from Latin referre to bring back, report, refer, from re- + ferre to carry — more at bear

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of refer was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near refer

Cite this Entry

“Refer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refer. Accessed 9 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

referred; referring
1
: to explain in terms of a general cause
referred the defeat to poor training
2
: to go, send, or guide to some person or place for treatment, help, advice, or information
refer them to a dictionary
refer a patient to a specialist
refer to the dictionary for the meaning of a word
3
: to have relationship : relate
the asterisk refers to a footnote
4
: to call attention : make reference
no one referred to yesterday's quarrel
Etymology

Middle English referren, referen "to think of or place in a certain relationship, make a connection with in the mind," derived from Latin referre, literally, "to carry back," from re- "back, again" and ferre "to bear, carry, yield" — related to defer entry 1, offer

Medical Definition

refer

transitive verb
referred; referring
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

Legal Definition

refer

transitive verb
referred; referring
: to send or direct for treatment, aid, service, information, or decision
referred the debtor to an attorney with expertise in bankruptcy
specifically : commit sense 1c

More from Merriam-Webster on refer

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