define reference

Synonyms: Noun

• authority,
• source

Visit the Thesaurus for More
Keep scrolling for more

The Plant’s actual outputs will be converted to these Reference Site Conditions in accordance with Schedules [1], [2], and [5] of the EPA.
A Distributed Control System (DCS) shall be provided to coordinate the control and supervision of the Facility including half hourly Dependable Capacity correction for Reference Site Condition.

If you are writing a report for school, you are probably relying on a few references, or sources, for information. Or, if you are applying for a job, you may count on a reference from a previous boss to help you get the job.
Good references are sometimes necessary to either get a job or to get a job done well. A reference is someone you can rely on to put in a good word for you when applying for a job. Or, a reference might be an outside source you use in a research paper. Don’t forget: if you reference outside work, be sure to mention it in your bibliography or “list of references” so you don’t get accused of plagiarism. Give credit where it’s due.

(The following bullets clarify what is meant by terms within the Reference Work definition.)
Submitted by subgroup of RSS Executive Committee

References:

http://www.lawinsider.com/dictionary/reference-site
http://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/reference
http://www.ala.org/rusa/guidelines/definitionsreference
http://libguides.ioe.ac.uk/c.php?g=482485&p=3299866