Meaning of referral

(noun) a person whose case has been referred to a specialist or professional group; "the patient is a referral from Dr. Bones"

a recommendation to consult the (professional) person or group to whom one has been referred; "the insurance company says that you need a written referral from your physician before seeing a specialist"

the act of referring (as forwarding an applicant for employment or referring a matter to an appropriate agency)