Definition of referent in English:
referent
noun ˈrɛf(ə)r(ə)ntˈrɛf(ə)rənt
Linguistics The thing in the world that a word or phrase denotes or stands for.
‘the Morning Star’ and ‘the Evening Star’ have the same referent (the planet Venus)
Example sentencesExamples
- Furthermore, demonstrative nominal and demonstrative pronominal anaphors appeared to function quite differently in expressing differences in transition stages of discourse referents.
- But in the following passage the syntax is such that the referent of the word lap is ambiguous.
- Meaning postulates are not about the sense of words but about their referents.
- This message, even when presented figuratively, uses extra linguistic referents to bring it in touch with the reality around us.
- Geoff Pullum complains about the use of the count noun troop for individual, rather than collective, referents.
Origin
Mid 19th century: from Latin referent- 'bringing back', from the verb referre (see refer).
Definition of referent in US English:
referent
nounˈrɛf(ə)rəntˈref(ə)rənt
Linguistics The thing that a word or phrase denotes or stands for.
“the Morning Star” and “the Evening Star” have the same referent (the planet Venus)
Example sentencesExamples
- Meaning postulates are not about the sense of words but about their referents.
- Geoff Pullum complains about the use of the count noun troop for individual, rather than collective, referents.
- But in the following passage the syntax is such that the referent of the word lap is ambiguous.
- Furthermore, demonstrative nominal and demonstrative pronominal anaphors appeared to function quite differently in expressing differences in transition stages of discourse referents.
- This message, even when presented figuratively, uses extra linguistic referents to bring it in touch with the reality around us.
Origin
Mid 19th century: from Latin referent- ‘bringing back’, from the verb referre (see refer).