represent
Americanverb (used with object)
-
represents,
present (3rd person singular)
-
represented,
past participle, past
-
representing
present participle
-
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.
- Synonyms:
- exemplify
-
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.
- Synonyms:
- delineate
-
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.
- Synonyms:
- portray
-
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)
-
represents,
present (3rd person singular)
-
represented,
past participle, past
-
representing
present participle
-
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.
verb
-
to stand as an equivalent of; correspond to
our 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 expressing
letters represent the sounds of speech
-
to exhibit the characteristics of; exemplify; typify
romanticism 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 be
he represented her as a saint
-
to act out the part of on stage; portray
-
to perform or produce (a play); stage
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
representabilitynoun
-
prerepresentverb (used with object)
-
nonrepresentableadjective
-
representableadjective
-
unrepresentableadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
representsimple
-
representssimple
-
have representedperfect
-
has representedperfect
-
am representingprogressive
-
are representingprogressive
-
is representingprogressive
-
have been representingperfect progressive
-
has been representingperfect progressive
Past
-
representedsimple
-
had representedperfect
-
was representingprogressive
-
were representingprogressive
-
had been representingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of represent
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English representen, from Middle French representer, from Latin repraesentāre “to bring about immediately, make present,” equivalent to re- re- ( def. ) + praesentāre “to present 2 ( def. ) ”
Explanation
Use the word represent when something stands in for something else — whether it's your congressman representing your interests in Washington or the thimble that represents you as it makes its way around the Monopoly board. We live in a democracy in which we elect a few people to represent the wishes and desires of the rest of us. Their job is literally to "re-present" the voters' demands in Congress. That's why we call them our "representatives." In the world of art, however, to represent something can mean to express its essence by means of something different. For example a ball of string can represent, or symbolize, a cat.
Vocabulary lists containing represent
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 3
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
List 6
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The state auditor’s office said the cases do not represent a full accounting of its review of improper government activity.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026
House to represent Arizona’s 8th Congressional District, said she routinely went out in the middle of the night to repair signs since it was cooler.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026
"Suppressing the activity of somatostatin neurons in the central amygdala could represent a final pathway for reducing anxiety symptoms, not just in the context of cannabis side effects," he explained.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 7, 2026
A large portion of the reserves reported by countries represent the minimum volume required to keep infrastructure operational, he added.
From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026
If we win, we go to State, and if we win State, we’ll represent Georgia in the eight-state league tournament.
From "Fast Pitch" by Nic Stone
Bai has been held at Bangkok's Suan Phlu immigration detention centre since January 21, according to the Southeast Asia Legal Defense Initiative, which represents him.
From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026
The state’s suit represents a new challenge for the Blue Cross Blue Shield system, and could become a significant headache if other states follow Michigan.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026
It represents a distinct evolutionary lineage that is most closely related to Eunicellidae, but its genetics and anatomy differ enough to justify the creation of a new family called Laurinqueidae.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 8, 2026
The Norfolk and Waveney Local Medical Committee, which represents NHS GPs, has also paid its respects.
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026
A second theory, unappealing to those Japanese who prefer the first theory, argues instead that the Yayoi transition represents a massive influx of immigrants from Korea, carrying Korean farming practices, culture, and genes.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
"She represented the last straw" of popular anger at unaffordable housing, said Rodriguez, who has lived in Madrid all his life, describing real estate prices in Spain as "crazy".
From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026
The findings represented the first reported example of a genetic code in which both TAA and TAG had been reassigned to encode two different amino acids.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 8, 2026
Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth said the Scottish government already offered free transport for a range of groups, while public service reform represented an opportunity to "push power out" to communities around the country.
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026
The show’s diverse cast also represented what Bartlett called the “multiethnic gumbo” of American cities.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026
Uto'pian, ideal, fanciful, chimerical: from "Utopia"—an imaginary island, represented by Sir Thomas More, in a work called "Utopia," as enjoying the greatest perfection in politics laws, and society.
From New Word-Analysis by William Swinton
The Australian law firms representing Adidas and White Fox both declined to comment on the case, the first hearing due to begin on Friday.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
Lawyers from the Los Angeles-based civil rights nonprofit Trial Impact Project who are representing the former detainees called the settlement a victory.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026
Micron, which makes around 50-60 percent of its chips in Taiwan, has been locked in talks over remuneration with two labour unions representing 12,000 of the 15,000 workers at its Taoyuan and Taichung plants.
From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026
Under the deal, CD&R and McKesson will acquire Option Care Health for $32.05 a share, representing a roughly 37% premium to the company’s closing share price on Monday, the companies said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026
He was representing a consortium of interests that included Frank Phillips and Skelly—the old adversaries now allies.
From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
