ref

1 of 2

noun

ˈref How to pronounce ref (audio)
: a referee in a game or sport

ref

2 of 2

abbreviation

1
reference
2
refunding

Examples of ref in a Sentence

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.
Noun
Don’t show that energy to the refs, who deserve your respect. — Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026 After a replay review, the refs assessed double technical fouls to Nesmith and Marshall. — ABC News, 23 Oct. 2026 If refs are calling PI left and right all game long, then that should probably be a PI, too. — Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026 The refs ostensibly thought Leipold was running on the field to complain about the interference call. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ref

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ref was in 1890

Rhymes for ref

See All Rhymes for ref

Browse Nearby Words

reextent
ref
reface
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ref.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ref. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

ref

noun
ˈref
: referee entry 1 sense 2
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of Pyrrhic

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
couple-laugh-cafe
Quiz: Foreign Phrases You Should Know Check out your bona fides and avoid any faux pas.
See All