represent definition

English

Etymology 1

From Old French représenter, from Latin repraesentō.

Alternative forms

• repræsent (archaic)

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /ˌɹɛp.ɹɪˈzɛnt/

  • Audio (US)

    (file)

• (General Australian) IPA^(key): /ˌɹep.ɹɪˈzent/

Verb

represent (third-person singular simple present represents, present participle representing, simple past and past participle represented)

1. (transitive) To present again or anew; to present by means of something standing in the place of; to exhibit the counterpart or image of; to typify.
2. (transitive) To portray visually; to delineate

   a landscape can be represented in a picture.

   The sculptor represented a horse in bronze.

3. (transitive) To portray by mimicry or acting; to act the part or character of

   Synonym: play

   It has always been his dream to represent Hamlet on Broadway.

4. (transitive) To stand or act in the place of; to perform the duties, exercise the rights, or otherwise act on behalf of

   He sent his agent to represent himself at the meeting.

   As he was too ill to accept the award, his brother represented him at the ceremony.

   An attorney's job is to represent his client in court

5. (politics, transitive) To act as a representative of (a country, state, district etc.)

   They chose a member of Congress to represent their district.

6. (transitive) To portray to another using language; to show; to give one's own impressions and judgement of

   He represented that he was investigating for the police department.

7. (transitive) To give an account of; to describe.
8. (transitive) To serve as a sign or symbol of

   The @ symbol represents the online world.

   A dove is often used to represent peace.

   • 1983, Richard Ellis, The Book of Sharks, Knopf, →ISBN, page 150:

     A person climbs a mountain, not only "because it is there," but also because it represents a fundamental and personal challenge.

9. (transitive) To bring a certain sensation of into the mind; to cause to be known, felt, or apprehended; to present.
10. (transitive) To form or image again in consciousness, as an object of cognition or apprehension (something presentative, which was originally apprehended by direct presentation).
11. (transitive) To constitute, to make up, to be an example of.
    • 2020 January 31, Penelope Walton Rogers, “Textile networks in Viking-age towns of Britain and Ireland”, in Stephen P. Ashby, Søren Sindbæk, editors, Crafts and Social Networks in Viking Towns‎^[1], →ISBN, page 101:

      Rounded stone and glass objects with fine radiating scratches on one surface represent the slickstones that were used in garment-making and laundry, to smooth the cloth and to press seams and pleats.

12. (sports, transitive) To participate as a team member
13. (intransitive, African-American Vernacular) To constitute a good example or symbol of a group of people; to acquit oneself well.
    • 1999, Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg, Still D.R.E.:

      I'm representing for the gangsters all across the world.
      Still hitting them corners in them low lows girl.

Synonyms

• (to constitute): form, make up; see also Thesaurus:compose

Derived terms

• under-represent, underrepresent

Related terms

• representability
• representable
• representation
• representative

Translations

Etymology 2

re- +‎ present.

Alternative forms

• re-present

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌɹi(ː).pɹɪ.ˈzɛnt/
• IPA^(key): /ˈɹiː.pɹɪ.ˌzɛnt/ (especially when spelled re-present)

Verb

represent (third-person singular simple present represents, present participle representing, simple past and past participle represented)

1. (medicine) To present again, for instance for medical attention.

   represented to the emergency department

2. (by extension) To present again, possibly in an altered form.

   video game represented as live-action television

Related terms

• representation

Further reading

• “represent”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
• “represent”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
• “represent”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.

Anagrams

• presenter, repenters