representation

[ rep-ri-zen-tey-shuhn, -zuhn- ]

noun

1. the act of representing.
2. the state of being represented.
3. the expression or designation by some term, character, symbol, or the like.
4. action or speech on behalf of a person, group, business house, state, or the like by an agent, deputy, or representative.
5. the state or fact of being so represented:

   to demand representation on a board of directors.

6. Government. the state, fact, or right of being represented by delegates having a voice in legislation or government.
7. the body or number of representatives, as of a constituency.
8. Diplomacy.
   1. the act of speaking or negotiating on behalf of a state.
   2. an utterance on behalf of a state.
9. presentation to the mind, as of an idea or image.
10. a mental image or idea so presented; concept.
11. the act of portrayal, picturing, or other rendering in visible form.
12. a picture, figure, statue, etc.
13. the production or a performance of a play or the like, as on the stage.
14. Often representations. a description or statement, as of things true or alleged.
15. a statement of facts, reasons, etc., made in appealing or protesting; a protest or remonstrance.
16. Law. an implication or statement of fact to which legal liability may attach if material:

    a representation of authority.

representation

/ ˌrɛprɪzɛnˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of representing or the state of being represented
2. anything that represents, such as a verbal or pictorial portrait
3. anything that is represented, such as an image brought clearly to mind
4. the principle by which delegates act for a constituency
5. a body of representatives
6. contract law a statement of fact made by one party to induce another to enter into a contract
7. an instance of acting for another, on his authority, in a particular capacity, such as executor or administrator
8. a dramatic production or performance
9. often plural a statement of facts, true or alleged, esp one set forth by way of remonstrance or expostulation
10. linguistics an analysis of a word, sentence, etc, into its constituents

    phonetic representation

Other Words From

• nonrep·re·sen·tation noun
• over·repre·sen·tation noun
• prerep·re·sen·tation noun
• self-repre·sen·tation noun
• under·repre·sen·tation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of representation¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English representacion, from Latin repraesentātiōn-, stem of repraesentātiō, from repraesentāt(us) “made present” (past participle of repraesentāre “to bring about immediately, make present”; represent ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

And in 2032, nine members will be elected to the Board of Supervisors, which should allow for more representation of the county’s geography, politics and ethnic diversity.

From Los Angeles Times

After his latest arrest in March, McDonald initially denied all wrongdoing but later pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud by false representation.

From BBC

"For me, as someone who is an Anglican, I cannot see why I have a greater right for greater representation than my children who are Catholics," he said.

From BBC

He hopes his role as senator will be the representation for young Latinos that he never had growing up.

From Salon

“Through their representation in the church and the grandeur of the cathedral and the grandeur of St. Peter’s, it’s extraordinary and humbling. So many lives, so much history, all living the same doubts. And the church reminds you of that: Where do we go after death? The Catholic church tries to celebrate the mystery by embracing you in that.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• depiction
• image
• portrayal