Definition of reference

• a remark that calls attention to something or someone; "she made frequent mention of her promotion"; "there was no mention of it"; "the speaker made several references to his wife"
• a short note recognizing a source of information or of a quoted passage; "the students essay failed to list several important citations"; "the acknowledgments are usually printed at the front of a book"; "the article includes mention of similar clinical cases"
• an indicator that orients you generally; "it is used as a reference for comparing the heating and the electrical energy involved"