reference vs meaning

reference and meaning both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
reference	Yes	No	Yes	No
meaning	Yes	Yes	No	No

As nouns, meaning is a hypernym of reference; that is, meaning is a word with a broader meaning than reference:

reference: the most direct or specific meaning of a word or expression; the class of objects that an expression refers to
meaning: the idea that is intended

Other hypernyms of reference include substance.

As nouns, meaning is a hypernym of reference; that is, meaning is a word with a broader meaning than reference:

reference: the relation between a word or phrase and the object or idea it refers to
meaning: the idea that is intended

Other hypernyms of reference include substance.

reference (noun)	meaning (noun)
the act of referring or consulting	the idea that is intended
the most direct or specific meaning of a word or expression; the class of objects that an expression refers to	the message that is intended or expressed or signified
the relation between a word or phrase and the object or idea it refers to
a formal recommendation by a former employer to a potential future employer describing the person's qualifications and dependability
a remark that calls attention to something or someone
a short note recognizing a source of information or of a quoted passage
a book to which you can refer for authoritative facts
an indicator that orients you generally
a publication (or a passage from a publication) that is referred to
(computer science) the code that identifies where a piece of information is stored

reference (adjective)	meaning (adjective)
	rich in significance or implication

reference (verb)	meaning (verb)
refer to