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

Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. —Ahjané Forbes, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024

Related Articles Officially open to the public this week, People’s pushes back against the membership model that has grown popular in recent years, with reservations available by referral. —Kristen Tauer, WWD, 18 Dec. 2024

The institute's 2024 report found that physicians across Canada reported a median wait time of 30 weeks between a referral from a general practitioner to receipt of treatment. —Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024

However, any referral to the president suggests at least one member of the panel sees the deal posing a risk. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune Asia, 11 Dec. 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