representative

1 of 2

adjective

rep·​re·​sen·​ta·​tive ˌre-pri-ˈzen-tə-tiv How to pronounce representative (audio)
1
: serving to represent
a painting representative of a storm
2
a
: standing or acting for another especially through delegated authority
b
: of, based on, or constituting a government in which the many are represented by persons chosen from among them usually by election
representative democracy
3
a
: serving as a typical or characteristic example of a particular group of people or of a particular thing
a representative moviegoer
a representative romantic poem
The paintings are representative of English art in the early 19th century.
b
: including examples of the different types of people or things in a group
The students chosen for the survey are a fairly representative sample of college students from across the U.S.
However, representation simply is not enough—especially when it is one-dimensional, superficial, or not actually representative. Some scholars describe how Asian American media depictions still tend to reinforce stereotypes …Kevin Leo Yabut Nadal
4
: of or relating to representation or representationalism
representatively adverb
representativeness noun
representativity noun

representative

2 of 2

noun

plural representatives
1
: someone or something that represents another or others: such as
a(1)
: someone who represents a constituency as a member of a legislative body
(2)
: a member of the house of representatives of the U.S. Congress or a state legislature
state representatives
b
: someone who represents another as agent, deputy, substitute, or delegate usually being invested with the authority of the principal
c
: someone who represents a business organization
a sales representative
d
: someone who represents a social group sharing an affiliation or culture
Various representatives of community resources and cultures assisted in deepening the recruits' understanding of the community, its people, available services, and fostering connections with local non-profit organizations.Marla Poirier
e
: someone who represents another as successor or heir
2
: a typical example of a group, class, or quality : specimen

Examples of representative in a Sentence

Adjective The paintings are representative of English art in the early 19th century. The students chosen for the survey are a fairly representative sample of college students from across the U.S. Noun Do you know who your representatives are? The bill was introduced by Representative Smith. a representative of her age group
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
To a shocking degree, the U.S. House of Representatives is not representative. Andrew Tisch, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024 The knock-on effects of such widespread adoption on the fashion and beauty industry (not to mention society at large) are obvious and, if Ester Manas’s experience is representative, already being felt. Alice Pfeiffer, CNN, 26 Sep. 2024
Noun
Approximately 60 inmates were taken from the Cocke County Jail to the Jefferson County Jail, a representative for Jefferson County said. Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 29 Sep. 2024 To amplify the productivity of sales representatives, organizations should focus on three pivotal things: 1. Anjai Lal, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for representative 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'representative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1635, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of representative was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near representative

Cite this Entry

“Representative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/representative. Accessed 9 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

representative

1 of 2 adjective
rep·​re·​sen·​ta·​tive ˌrep-ri-ˈzent-ət-iv How to pronounce representative (audio)
1
: serving to represent
a painting representative of a battle
2
: standing or acting for another especially through delegated authority
3
: of, based upon, or being a government in which the people are represented by persons chosen from among them usually by election
4
: serving as a typical example of the thing mentioned
a representative athlete
representatively adverb
representativeness noun

representative

2 of 2 noun
1
: a typical example of a group, class, or quality
2
: one that represents another or others : delegate
especially : a member of the house of representatives of the U.S. Congress or a state legislature

Legal Definition

representative

1 of 2 adjective
rep·​re·​sen·​ta·​tive
1
: serving to represent
2
a
: standing or acting for another especially through delegated authority
an agent acting in a representative capacity
b
: of, based on, or constituting a government in which the people are represented by individuals chosen from among them usually by election
3
: of or relating to representation

representative

2 of 2 noun
: one that represents another or others in a special capacity: as
a
: one that represents a constituency as a member of a legislative or other governing body
specifically : a member of the House of Representatives of the U.S. Congress or a state legislature
b
: one that represents another as agent, deputy, substitute, or delegate and that usually is invested with the authority of the principal
c
: one that represents or stands in the place of a deceased person : personal representative
d
: one that represents another as successor or heir
e
: one named as the plaintiff or defendant in a class action to litigate on behalf of the class
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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