represent

[rep-ri-zent]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR represent ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to serve to express, designate, stand for, or denote, as a word, symbol, or the like does; symbolize: In this painting the cat represents evil and the bird, good.

to express or designate by some term, character, symbol, or the like: to represent musical sounds by notes.

to stand or act in the place of, as a substitute, proxy, or agent does: He represents the company in Boston.

to speak and act for by delegated authority: to represent one's government in a foreign country.

to act for or in behalf of (a constituency, state, etc.) by deputed right in exercising a voice in legislation or government: He represents Chicago's third Congressional district.

to portray or depict; present the likeness of, as a picture does: The painting represents him as a man 22 years old.

to present or picture to the mind.

to present in words; set forth; describe; state.

to set forth or describe as having a particular character (usually followed by as, to be, etc.): The article represented the dictator as a benevolent despot.

to set forth clearly or earnestly with a view to influencing opinion or action or making protest.

to present, produce, or perform, as on a stage.

to impersonate, as in acting.

to serve as an example or specimen of; exemplify: a genus represented by two species.

to be the equivalent of; correspond to: The llama of the New World represents the camel of the Old World.

verb (used without object)

to protest; make representations against.

Slang. to use or display a secret handshake, sign, gesture, etc., for purposes of identification: The gang members always represent when they see one another.

Origin of represent

1325–75; Middle English representen < Middle French representer < Latin repraesentāre to bring about immediately, make present, equivalent to re- re- + praesentāre to present²

Related formsrep·re·sent·a·ble, adjectiverep·re·sent·a·bil·i·ty, nounnon·rep·re·sent·a·ble, adjectivepre·rep·re·sent, verb (used with object)un·rep·re·sent·a·ble, adjective

Can be confusedre-present represent

Synonyms for represent

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR represent ON THESAURUS.COM

1. exemplify. 6. delineate. 12. portray.

re-present

[ree-pri-zent]

verb (used with object)

to present again or anew.

Origin of re-present

First recorded in 1555–65; re- + present²

Can be confusedre-present represent

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for represent

show, perform, serve, produce, mean, portray, suggest, describe, mirror, display, illustrate, exemplify, be, exhibit, imitate, express, body, betoken, equal, reproduce

Examples from the Web for represent

Contemporary Examples of represent

More to the point, Huckabee has a natural appeal to a party that has come to represent the bulk of working class white voters.
Can Huckabee Convert the GOP’s Moneymen?
Lloyd Green
January 4, 2015
Republicans loathe public sector unions—unless they represent cops or firefighters.
The GOP and Police Unions: A Love Story
Eleanor Clift
December 12, 2014
This year will represent the 20th anniversary of the first Running of the Santas.
Before the Bros, SantaCon Was as an Anti-Corporate Protest
David Freedlander
December 12, 2014
For example, 51 percent of North Carolinians voted that year for a Democrat to represent them in Congress.
Seriously, Democrats: You’re Done in Dixie
Michael Tomasky
December 10, 2014
In their elitism and sense of entitlement, they represent much of what liberals are supposed to despise.
The Rise and Fall of Chris Hughes and Sean Eldridge, America’s Worst Gay Power Couple
James Kirchick
December 9, 2014

Historical Examples of represent

He has no voice in its making, no influence in its administration, it does not represent him.
United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches
Various
Every thing, I said, or nothing, as she was pleased to represent it.
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
Did Dr. Everett represent the indifferent world, or did he love her Master?
Ester Ried Yet Speaking
Isabella Alden
They will not believe me quite so bad as I fear you will represent me.
Weighed and Wanting
George MacDonald
The presumption is that they represent the old sepulchers of the kings of Meroe.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 433, April 19, 1884
Various

British Dictionary definitions for represent

represent

verb (tr)

to stand as an equivalent of; correspond toour tent represents home to us when we go camping

to act as a substitute or proxy (for)

to act as or be the authorized delegate or agent for (a person, country, etc)an MP represents his constituency

to serve or use as a means of expressingletters represent the sounds of speech

to exhibit the characteristics of; exemplify; typifyromanticism in music is represented by Beethoven

to present an image of through the medium of a picture or sculpture; portray

to bring clearly before the mind

to set forth in words; state or explain

to describe as having a specified character or quality; make out to behe represented her as a saint

to act out the part of on stage; portray

to perform or produce (a play); stage

Derived Formsrepresentable, adjectiverepresentability, noun

Word Origin for represent

C14: from Latin repraesentāre to exhibit, from re- + praesentāre to present ²

re-present

verb

(tr) to present again

Derived Formsre-presentation (ˌriːprɛzənˈteɪʃən), noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for represent

late 14c., "to bring to mind by description," also "to symbolize, serve as a sign or symbol of; serve as the type or embodiment of;" from Old French representer "present, show, portray" (12c.), from Latin repraesentare "make present, set in view, show, exhibit, display," from re-, intensive prefix (see re-), + praesentare "to present," literally "to place before" (see present (v.)). Legislative sense is attested from 1650s. Related: Represented; representing.

re-present

"to offer again," 1560s, from re- + present (v.). Related: Re-presented; re-presenting; re-presentation.