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
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
Not as a character so much as a reference point in casual dialogue.
—Glynnis MacNicol, Rolling Stone, 26 Jan. 2025
Next to attempt tennis’ version of Mission Impossible is the American world No. 19, Madison Keys, who, after reaching the final, said that Sabalenka is a reference point for her own game.
—Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 25 Jan. 2025
By leaning on this blockchain technology for trust, the aggregator gains a robust shield against tampering, ensuring the aggregated proof has a canonical reference point that anyone can independently verify.
—Ayush Gupta, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for reference point 
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Robert Pinsky, The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2025
Not as a character so much as a reference point in casual dialogue.
—Glynnis MacNicol, Rolling Stone, 26 Jan. 2025
Next to attempt tennis’ version of Mission Impossible is the American world No. 19, Madison Keys, who, after reaching the final, said that Sabalenka is a reference point for her own game.
—Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 25 Jan. 2025
By leaning on this blockchain technology for trust, the aggregator gains a robust shield against tampering, ensuring the aggregated proof has a canonical reference point that anyone can independently verify.
—Ayush Gupta, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for reference point
Dictionary Entries Near reference point
Cite this Entry
“Reference point.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reference%20point. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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