在法律文件中通常包括定义部分，常见的中文表述有：“……的意思是……”，“（所称）……是指……”，我们常常翻译成“Sth means sth”，“Sth refers to sth”，“Sth indicates that”，“Sth means that”。

其实还有一种表述更符合法律文体：A reference to sth is a reference to sth，或者A reference to sth is referring to sth。

案例一（出自HK PATENTS ORDINANCE，http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=187050）

Unless the context otherwise requires, a reference in this Ordinance to a patent is a reference to a standard patent or a short-term patent granted under this Ordinance.（除非上下文另有所指，本条例中所称专利是指标准专利或根据本条例授权的短期专利）

案例二（出自Wikepedia网站，https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Court_system_of_Canada）

To distinguish between the two meanings of the term, capitalization is used. A reference to a "provincial court" normally is a reference to the broad meaning of the term, any court created by the Province. A reference to "Provincial Court" normally is referring to the specific court of limited statutory jurisdiction, created by the Province.（用大小写来区分术语的两个含义。小写的“省级法院”通常是指该术语的宽泛含义，即，任何由省建立的法院。大写的“省级法院”通常是指由省建立的具有有限法定管辖权的特定法院）