represent

[ rep-ri-zent ]

verb (used with object)

1. to serve to express, designate, stand for, or denote, as a word, symbol, or the like does; symbolize:

   In this painting the cat represents evil and the bird, good.

   Synonyms: exemplify

2. to express or designate by some term, character, symbol, or the like:

   to represent musical sounds by notes.

3. to stand or act in the place of, as a substitute, proxy, or agent does:

   He represents the company in Boston.

4. to speak and act for by delegated authority:

   to represent one's government in a foreign country.

5. to act for or in behalf of (a constituency, state, etc.) by deputed right in exercising a voice in legislation or government:

   He represents Chicago's third Congressional district.

6. to portray or depict; present the likeness of, as a picture does:

   The painting represents him as a man 22 years old.

   Synonyms: delineate

7. to present or picture to the mind.
8. to present in words; set forth; describe; state.
9. to set forth or describe as having a particular character (usually followed by as, to be, etc.):

   The article represented the dictator as a benevolent despot.

10. to set forth clearly or earnestly with a view to influencing opinion or action or making protest.
11. to present, produce, or perform, as on a stage.
12. to impersonate, as in acting.

    Synonyms: portray

13. to serve as an example or specimen of; exemplify:

    a genus represented by two species.

14. to be the equivalent of; correspond to:

    The llama of the New World represents the camel of the Old World.

verb (used without object)

1. to protest; make representations against.
2. Slang. to use or display a secret handshake, sign, gesture, etc., for purposes of identification:

   The gang members always represent when they see one another.

represent

/ ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnt /

verb

1. to stand as an equivalent of; correspond to

   our tent represents home to us when we go camping

2. to act as a substitute or proxy (for)
3. to act as or be the authorized delegate or agent for (a person, country, etc)

   an MP represents his constituency

4. to serve or use as a means of expressing

   letters represent the sounds of speech

5. to exhibit the characteristics of; exemplify; typify

   romanticism in music is represented by Beethoven

6. to present an image of through the medium of a picture or sculpture; portray
7. to bring clearly before the mind
8. to set forth in words; state or explain
9. to describe as having a specified character or quality; make out to be

   he represented her as a saint

10. to act out the part of on stage; portray
11. to perform or produce (a play); stage

Derived Forms

• ˌrepreˌsentaˈbility, noun
• ˌrepreˈsentable, adjective

Other Words From

• repre·senta·ble adjective
• repre·senta·bili·ty noun
• nonrep·re·senta·ble adjective
• prerep·re·sent verb (used with object)
• unrep·re·senta·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of represent¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English representen, from Middle French representer, from Latin repraesentāre “to bring about immediately, make present,” equivalent to re- re- ( def ) + praesentāre “to present ²( def ) ”

Word History and Origins

Origin of represent¹

C14: from Latin repraesentāre to exhibit, from re- + praesentāre to present ²

Related Words

• mean
• perform
• produce
• serve
• serve as
• show
• speak for