reference point

noun

: something that is used to judge or understand something else

The professor used the study as a reference point for evaluating and discussing other theories.

Examples of reference point 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.

As a reference point, the Cavs would’ve been considered a second-apron team under these current rules during James’ final three years in Cleveland. —

Jason Lloyd, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025 Kate Moss’s iconic airport ensemble from 1994 is the ultimate reference point. —

Joy Montgomery, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2025 Methane's absorption at 619 nm serves as a reliable reference point because methane's abundance is well known and its absorption can be used to determine pressure levels. —

Victoria Corless, Space.com, 9 Jan. 2025 No analogy is perfect, but a different historical moment feels, to me, more immediate and more challenging as a reference point. —

Robert Pinsky, The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for reference point

Cite this Entry

Style

“Reference point.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reference%20point. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

Copy Citation