REFERENCE definition : 1. a few words that you say or write about someone or something: 2. relating to something: 3. the…. Learn more. Learn the meaning of reference as a noun, verb, and preposition, with synonyms, example sentences, and word history. Find out how to use reference in different contexts, such as academic writing, law, philosophy, and commerce. The triangle of reference , from the influential book The Meaning of Meaning (1923) by C. K. Ogden and I. A. Richards In semantics, reference is generally construed as the relationships between nouns or pronouns and objects that are named by them. Hence, the word "John" refers to the person John. The word "it" refers to some previously specified object. The object referred to is called the referent of the word. [3] Sometimes the word-object relation is called "denotation"; the word denotes ... Learn the various meanings and uses of the word reference in English, with examples, synonyms, and pronunciation. Find out how to refer to someone or something, consult a source of information, or give a testimonial.