point of reference
noun phrase
: something that is used to judge or understand something else
The professor used the study as a point of reference for evaluating and discussing other theories.
Examples of point of reference in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Finally, understand age As a point of reference, vintage rugs are generally 30 to 50 years old; semi-antique, 50 to 75 or 80; and antique rugs are anything older than that.
—
Michelle Brunner, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024
The plan is a key part of the EU’s European Green Deal that seeks to establish the world’s most ambitious climate and biodiversity targets and make the bloc the global point of reference on all climate issues.
—Raf Casert, Quartz, 28 Feb. 2024
One point of reference was just down the road at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center and its in-house Alto computer network, forerunners of the desktop.
—Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024
As a point of reference, Hill says that Allegiant Stadium was projected to bring in 450,000 incremental visitors out of annual attendance of roughly 2 million; in reality, the last full year of data showed more than 800,000.
—Brett Knight, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2024
As a point of reference, guard Malcolm Brogdon missed 21 consecutive games last season (including eight playoff games) with a plantar fascia tear.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024
For some contemporary fashion designers, Bloomsbury is a central point of reference.
—Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2023
Kentucky Fried Chicken eventually bought the restaurant in 1974 but the Big Chicken stayed, becoming a landmark in Marietta and a point of reference to anyone traveling through town.
—Stephanie Gallman Jordan, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2023
As part of an initiative to promote the beauty of Baja in a series of events highlighting Mexico’s gastronomy, wine, beer and handicrafts, Nortec’s music served as a point of reference for the originality that the region has to offer.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 24 July 2023
Michelle Brunner, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024
The plan is a key part of the EU’s European Green Deal that seeks to establish the world’s most ambitious climate and biodiversity targets and make the bloc the global point of reference on all climate issues.
—Raf Casert, Quartz, 28 Feb. 2024
One point of reference was just down the road at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center and its in-house Alto computer network, forerunners of the desktop.
—Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024
As a point of reference, Hill says that Allegiant Stadium was projected to bring in 450,000 incremental visitors out of annual attendance of roughly 2 million; in reality, the last full year of data showed more than 800,000.
—Brett Knight, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2024
As a point of reference, guard Malcolm Brogdon missed 21 consecutive games last season (including eight playoff games) with a plantar fascia tear.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024
For some contemporary fashion designers, Bloomsbury is a central point of reference.
—Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2023
Kentucky Fried Chicken eventually bought the restaurant in 1974 but the Big Chicken stayed, becoming a landmark in Marietta and a point of reference to anyone traveling through town.
—Stephanie Gallman Jordan, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2023
As part of an initiative to promote the beauty of Baja in a series of events highlighting Mexico’s gastronomy, wine, beer and handicrafts, Nortec’s music served as a point of reference for the originality that the region has to offer.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 24 July 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'point of reference.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near point of reference
Cite this Entry
“Point of reference.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/point%20of%20reference. Accessed 15 Apr. 2024.
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