refer to
phrasal verb
referred to; referring to; refers to
1
: to look at or in (something) for information
She often refers to her notes when giving a speech.
Please refer to our website for more information.
2
: to have a direct connection or relationship to (something)
The word "finch" refers to a kind of bird.
The numbers shown in the text refer to footnotes at the bottom of the page.
3
: to talk about or write about (someone or something) especially briefly : to mention (someone or something) in speech or in writing
No one referred to the incident.
Examples of refer to in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The word originally referred to a list of prices in the context of shipping, linguist and content creator Adam Aleksic told NPR.
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Rachel Treisman, NPR, 9 Apr. 2025
Sullivan identified in the letter that the two individuals the Combs defense is seeking the materials, by description but not by name, as a chef who worked for the hip-hop and fashion mogul and one of his ex-girlfriends; they are referred to as Individual A and Individual B.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2025
This connection likely refers to the pale color of wheat flour.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
When referred to a corporate emergency hospital, the family was quoted $10,000 for the procedure.
—Alain Sherter, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refer to
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Rachel Treisman, NPR, 9 Apr. 2025
Sullivan identified in the letter that the two individuals the Combs defense is seeking the materials, by description but not by name, as a chef who worked for the hip-hop and fashion mogul and one of his ex-girlfriends; they are referred to as Individual A and Individual B.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2025
This connection likely refers to the pale color of wheat flour.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
When referred to a corporate emergency hospital, the family was quoted $10,000 for the procedure.
—Alain Sherter, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refer to
Cite this Entry
“Refer to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refer%20to. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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