refere

Refere is not a standard English term. The correct and widely used form is referee, or the verb to referee. In common usage, refere is often a misspelling or typographical error for referee.

In sports, a referee is an official who enforces the rules, starts and stops play, signals fouls or violations, and maintains order and safety on the field or court. Responsibilities vary by sport; for example, a soccer referee may be assisted by assistant referees and a fourth official, while a basketball referee focuses on calls and violations such as fouls and the shot clock. Referees are typically trained and certified by governing bodies, required to stay fit, and expected to remain impartial. The role may be complemented by other officials, such as umpires or linesmen, depending on the sport.

As a noun, referee can also designate a person who provides a reference for someone applying for a job or admission. The verb to referee means to arbitrate a dispute or to judge proceedings, such as refereeing a debate or resolving a disagreement between parties. In this sense, a referee acts as an independent mediator or arbiter.

In legal or multilingual contexts, related terms such as référence or référe may appear in non-English usage, notably in French, whereréféré denotes a rapid court procedure. These terms are not standard English equivalents of referee and are used primarily within their own legal frameworks. Overall, in English, referee is the established term for the official or the act of judging, while refere is generally considered a misspelling.