depiction

noun

de·​pic·​tion di-ˈpik-shən 

dē-

plural depictions

: a representation in words or images of someone or something

The book is fascinating in its depiction of the country's early history.

The first part of the book … is a depiction of the nearly lost world of a North American hunter-gatherer community.

—Timothy Egan

The late Vermont artist Stephen Huneck made works that are instantly recognizable—bright, accessible, folky depictions of dogs enjoying themselves.

—James Heflin

By comparison with the depiction of domesticity in such 1950s staples as The Donna Reed Show and Ozzie and Harriet, the portrait of family life on The Dick Van Dyke Show, the emblematic sitcom of the early 1960s, seemed staggering in its sheer smartness and casual elegance.

—Bruce Bawer

Synonyms of depiction

• description
• portrait
• portrayal
• picture

Examples of depiction in a Sentence

the set piece of the novel is a depiction of the battle that makes readers feel like they were there

Recent Examples on the Web

Now each of these glass stones holds the memory of that depiction of the Passion of Christ. — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026

Fast-food chains have faced other lawsuits over product depictions in ads and on menu boards. — Reuters, NBC news, 31 Oct. 2026

There are several different depictions across various art traditions in India. — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026

Some participants appreciate the humor and creativity, praising the cartoonist for their clever and accurate depictions of modern life and celebrity culture. — Edith Pritchett, Washington Post, 30 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1688, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for depiction

• addiction
• affliction
• constriction
• conviction
• eviction
• infliction
• nonfiction
• prediction
• restriction
• antifriction
• benediction
• contradiction