English Reference
verb · noun

referencing

v. · n.
US /ˈɹɛfɝənsɪŋ/ UK /ɹˈɛfɹənsɪŋ/ ref·er·enc·ing

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    v.mentioning a person, place, or piece of information to support what you are saying.

    v.the act of citing a source or mentioning a specific entity to provide context or authority.

    Simple

    The author is referencing a famous study from the 1990s in this chapter.

    In context

    By referencing the latest climate data, the researcher was able to provide a more compelling argument for immediate policy changes.

    Usage

    Often used with a direct object in academic or professional contexts.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    n.the system of listing the books or websites you used in your work.

    n.the systematic practice of providing citations within a text to acknowledge sources.

    Simple

    Correct referencing is very important when you write a university essay.

    In context

    The professor noted that the student's referencing was inconsistent, as it mixed several different citation styles within the same bibliography.

    Usage

    Commonly used as an uncountable noun referring to the general practice of citation.

He likened the actions to an “economic D-Day”, referencing one of the turning points in World War II.

Al Jazeera· 8 Sept 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated