1
: typical of a particular group of people or of a particular thing
a representative example
The paintings are representative of English art in the early 19th century.
2
: including examples of the different types of people or things in a group
The students chosen for the survey are a fairly representative sample/sampling of college students from across the U.S.
3
: having people who are chosen in elections to act or speak for or in support of the people who voted for them
representative government
representative democracy
plural representatives
1
a
: someone who acts or speaks for or in support of another person or group
a sales representative [=a salesperson]
the actor's personal representative [=agent]
b
: a member of the House of Representatives of the U.S. Congress or of a state government
Do you know who your representatives are?
state representatives
The bill was introduced by Representative Smith.
2
: a person or thing that is typical of a group
a representative of her age group
Cite this Entry
“Representative.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/representative. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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