referral

noun

re·​fer·​ral ri-ˈfər-əl How to pronounce referral (audio)
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
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.
Policymakers have also moved to address associated risks, with a dozen states now requiring companion chatbot operators to disclose to users that their tools are not human, and to institute crisis referral procedures. — Ned Cooper, STAT, 26 Oct. 2026 The probe was opened after the Justice Department received a referral from DHS' Office of Inspector General, which shared its findings in recent weeks. — Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 Our team plans to test in a larger clinical trial whether starting survivorship care before radiation helps patients finish treatment on time and maintain quality of life, while also examining how teams coordinate care and referrals. — Marci Lee Nilsen, The Conversation, 22 Oct. 2026 She was also questioned on a charge of publishing false news, but that charge was not included in her court referral, according to Mada Masr’s lawyer, Hassan al-Azhari. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for referral

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of referral was circa 1790

Phrases Containing referral

Rhymes for referral

See All Rhymes for referral

Browse Nearby Words

referential
referral
referred
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Referral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/referral. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

referral

noun
re·​fer·​ral ri-ˈfər-əl How to pronounce referral (audio)
: the act or an instance of referring

Medical Definition

referral

noun
re·​fer·​ral ri-ˈfər-əl How to pronounce referral (audio)
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 How to pronounce referral (audio)
: the act or an instance of referring
appealed the referral of the bill to the Budget Committee
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