representation

noun

rep·​re·​sen·​ta·​tion ˌre-pri-ˌzen-ˈtā-shən 

-zən-

1

: one that represents: such as

a

: an artistic likeness or image

b(1)

: a statement or account made to influence opinion or action

(2)

: an incidental or collateral statement of fact on the faith of which a contract is entered into

c

: a dramatic production or performance

d(1)

: a usually formal statement made against something or to effect a change

(2)

: a usually formal protest

2

: the act or action of representing : the state of being represented: such as

a

: representationalism sense 2

b(1)

: the action or fact of one person standing for another so as to have the rights and obligations of the person represented

(2)

: the substitution of an individual or class in place of a person (such as a child for a deceased parent)

c

: the action of representing or the fact of being represented especially in a legislative body

3

: the body of persons representing a constituency

representational

ˌre-pri-ˌzen-ˈtā-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

-zən-

adjective

representationally adverb

Examples of representation in a Sentence

Each state has equal representation in the Senate.

The letters of the alphabet are representations of sounds.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Vel Phillips Task Force was formed in the summer of 2020, after it was brought to the attention of Michael Johnson, the CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County, that there was no representation of people of color at the state Capitol. —Jessie Opoien, Journal Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2024

And so more and more authors are coming out with books that are that representation. —Sarah Ritter, Kansas City Star, 12 Apr. 2024

Global talent, entertainment, sports and advisory company UTA has signed choreographer Rio Henderson for representation in all areas. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 11 Apr. 2024

Tia and Tamera Mowery have been the pinnacle of Black girlhood representation. —Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 10 Apr. 2024

The movement is part of a wave of student organizing at U.S. colleges and universities centering around everything from the affordability of higher education and representation to who has access to a diverse array of course offerings and workplace safety concerns. —Leah Willingham, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Apr. 2024

In 2020, Accenture set goals surrounding racial and gender representation in its U.S. workforce, including increasing the number of Hispanic U.S. employees from 9.5% to 13% by 2025 and the number of Hispanic U.S. managing directors from 3.5% to 4.7%. —Alexandra Olson, Quartz, 8 Apr. 2024

This creation is the ultimate representation of the bar ethos and mixology style. —Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Apr. 2024

The media guide also delves into representation issues within the community, such as colorism, pointing out that white-passing and light-skinned Latinos have advantages in front of and behind the camera that their darker-skinned counterparts do not. —Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing representation

• self-representation
• proportional representation

Kids Definition

representation

noun

rep·​re·​sen·​ta·​tion ˌrep-ri-ˌzen-ˈtā-shən 

1

: one (as a picture or symbol) that represents something else

2

: the act or action of representing : the state of being represented (as in a legislative body)

representational

ˌrep-ri-ˌzen-ˈtā-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

Legal Definition

representation

noun

rep·​re·​sen·​ta·​tion

1

: one that represents: as

a

: a statement or account made to influence opinion or action compare warranty sense 3

b

: an incidental or collateral statement of fact on the faith of which a contract is entered into

when a contract for sale contains certain representations by the purchaser

specifically : a statement of fact made by an applicant to an insurer for the purpose of obtaining insurance

2

: the act or action of representing: as

a

: the action or fact of one person standing for another so as to have the rights and obligations of the person represented

b

: the substitution of an individual or class in place of a person (as when a child or children take the share of an estate that would have fallen to a deceased parent) see also per stirpes

c

: the action of representing or the fact of being represented especially in a legislative body

d

: the act or action by a lawyer of providing legal advice to a client and appearing (as in court) to speak and act on the client's behalf

3

: the body of persons representing a constituency