represent

verb (1)

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rep·re·sent | \ ˌre-pri-ˈzent

represented; representing; represents

Definition of represent

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

5a : to produce on the stage

b : to act the part or role of

6a(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

8a : 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

10a : 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

re-present

verb (2)

re-pre·sent | \ ˌrē-pri-ˈzent

re-presented; re-presenting; re-presents

Definition of re-present (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to present again or anew

Other Words from represent Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about represent

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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 At Google, Black women represent only 0.7 percent of its technical workforce and Black employees make up 2.4 percent of the technical workforce overall, according to the company’s 2020 diversity report. — NBC News, "Second top Black female Google employee says she was recently ousted," 23 Dec. 2020 So watching these same people jump to the front of the vaccination line is bearing witness to an abomination — a crime committed against the very people they are sworn to represent and protect. — Danielle Campoamor, refinery29.com, "COVID-Denying Politicians Are Getting Vaccinated First, & Yes, We’re Furious," 23 Dec. 2020 Part of the reason for that has to do with the scale of the protests: Those participating claim to represent the interests of hundreds of millions of people and have amassed support across the country and around the world. — Yasmeen Serhan, The Atlantic, "The Limits of Narendra Modi’s Nationalism," 21 Dec. 2020 Giel wanted to continue to be a fund-raiser, to represent the university at Big Ten meetings and to handle public relations. — Sid Hartman Star Tribune, Star Tribune, "Sid Hartman: Disagreement over duties made Lou Holtz leave Gophers," 19 Dec. 2020 Housing costs in Plano and Irving represent on average 20% and 22% of residents’ income, respectively, and both cities scored in the top 10 for lowest rates of violent crime. — Sarah Bahari, Dallas News, "These two North Texas suburbs were named among the ‘most livable’ cities in the U.S.," 14 Dec. 2020 The tests reflected in this figure represent molecular and PRC tests. — Laura Hancock, cleveland, "10,094 new coronavirus cases in Ohio; 84 more deaths: Wednesday update," 9 Dec. 2020 Predicting how much carbon will be released from peatlands worldwide is hard to do, especially because no models can adequately represent these ecosystems and the many factors that influence their carbon balance. — Julie Loisel, The Conversation, "Peatlands keep a lot of carbon out of Earth’s atmosphere, but that could end with warming and development," 7 Dec. 2020 Jobs added in October represent an increase of nearly 1% and are on top of an additional 1,000 jobs revised for September, bringing that month’s jobs increase to 18,000. — Stephen Singer, courant.com, "Connecticut’s labor force is expanding, kicking unemployed workers off extended federal aid," 19 Nov. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'represent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.