represent

1 of 2

verb (1)

rep·​re·​sent ˌre-pri-ˈzent How to pronounce represent (audio)
represented; representing; represents

transitive verb

1
: to bring clearly before the mind : present
a book which represents the character of early America
2
: to serve as a sign or symbol of
the flag represents our country
3
: to portray or exhibit in art : depict
4
: to serve as the counterpart or image of : typify
a movie hero who represents the ideals of the culture
5
a
: to produce on the stage
b
: to act the part or role of
6
a(1)
: to take the place of in some respect
(2)
: to act in the place of or for usually by legal right
(3)
: to manage the legal and business affairs of
athletes represented by top lawyers and agents
b
: to serve especially in a legislative body by delegated authority usually resulting from election
7
: to describe as having a specified character or quality
represents himself as a friend
8
a
: to give one's impression and judgment of : state in a manner intended to affect action or judgment
b
: to point out in protest or remonstrance
9
: to serve as a specimen, example, or instance of
10
a
: to form an image or representation of in the mind
b(1)
: to apprehend (an object) by means of an idea
(2)
: to recall in memory
11
: to correspond to in essence : constitute

intransitive verb

1
: to make representations against something : protest
2
slang : to perform a task or duty admirably : serve as an outstanding example
representable adjective
representer noun

re-present

2 of 2

verb (2)

re-pre·​sent ˌrē-pri-ˈzent How to pronounce re-present (audio)
re-presented; re-presenting; re-presents

transitive verb

: to present again or anew
re-presentation
ˌrē-ˌprē-ˌzen-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce re-present (audio)
-ˌpre-zᵊn-
-ˌprē-zᵊn-
noun

Examples of represent in a Sentence

Verb (1) He represented his company at the meeting. She hired an agent to represent her in the contract negotiations. Senator Smith represents the state of Connecticut. The company is represented by a local law firm. She represented the United States in figure skating at the Olympics. The court's decision represents a victory for small businesses. The new prices represent a substantial increase over last year's prices.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Zelensky frequently makes high-risk trips to the front lines and has welcomed dozens of world leaders to Ukraine during the war with Russia, but this attack may represent one of the closest calls for the president. Aj Willingham, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024 The layoffs would represent a little over 10% of its 19,000 employees. Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024 The late-night show represents a bygone monoculture exemplified by Carson, whose show was appointment viewing for tens of millions of Americans. Eliza Brooke, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Weekly pop-ups such as El Coro Café in Glendale and the Dominicans, based out of downtown, represent the cuisine, and a food truck specializing in Dominican cooking called Karibbean Cuisine parks in Mid-City. Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Certified Public Accountants represent the pinnacle of the accounting profession, with a broad knowledge base in accounting, tax, and financial planning. Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 The passengers represented 14 nations, but most were Chinese. Frances Vinall, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024 Counting the delegates During the major parties’ national conventions, delegates, who represent their states, pick their party’s nominee for the general election. Kendrick Marshall, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2024 The district represents the northern area of West Sacramento and large portions of Woodland. Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2024
Verb
Arriving at the doctor’s home in Hungary having not seen Semmelweis for eleven years, two former colleagues beg him to return to Vienna to re-present his findings from all those years ago to a medical conference. David Benedict, Variety, 13 July 2023

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

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French representer, from Latin repraesentare, from re- + praesentare to present

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Verb (2)

1564, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of represent was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near represent

Cite this Entry

“Represent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/represent. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

represent

verb
rep·​re·​sent ˌrep-ri-ˈzent How to pronounce represent (audio)
1
: to serve as a sign or symbol of
the flag represents our country
2
: to present a picture, image, or likeness of : portray
this picture represents a scene at Queen Elizabeth's court
3
a
: to take the place of in some respect
b
: to act for or in the place of (as in a legislative body)
c
: to manage the legal and business affairs of
he represented one of the sport's top athletes
4
: to describe as having a certain character or quality
represented himself as being poor
5
: to serve as an example or instance of
representable adjective
representer noun

Legal Definition

represent

transitive verb
rep·​re·​sent
1
: to substitute in some capacity for : act the part of, in place of, or for (as another person) usually by legal right: as
a
: to serve especially in a legislative body by delegated authority usually resulting from an election
b
: to provide legal representation to as a lawyer
c
: to act as the representative of in a class action
2
a
: to describe as having a specified character or quality
b
: to give one's impression and judgment of : state in a manner intended to affect action or judgment

More from Merriam-Webster on represent

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