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.
Depending on the business, answering those questions may require looking at repeat purchase rate, retention, renewals, referrals, cancellations or customer lifetime value. — Joe Carter, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Lange-Geise and Hartman agreed to pursue residential programs and followed up on referrals to seven residential schools in their home state and across the Northeast. — Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 Federal authorities have criminally charged some traders suspected of using insider information to profit on sites, but the cases have mostly started with referrals from Kalshi and its main competitor, Polymarket. — Bobby Allyn, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026 Her treatment has been handled exclusively by the for-profit prison company’s medical staff, despite a referral for an endocrinologist signed by the head of the medical unit at the last ICE facility where Bartko was held in Florida. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 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 6 Sep. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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