represent
Americanverb (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.
- 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)
-
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
- nonrepresentable adjective
- prerepresent verb (used with object)
- representability noun
- representable adjective
- unrepresentable adjective
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.
These thresholds represent the water temperatures at which large fish can no longer release heat quickly enough to maintain stable body temperatures.
From Science Daily • Apr. 18, 2026
Readings above 50 indicate expansion compared with the prior month, while those below 50 represent contraction.
From Barron's • Apr. 17, 2026
They’re too important to him; not just because they’re his most respected works, but because they represent a time when the world was at his fingertips.
From Salon • Apr. 17, 2026
"I feel like we are a family, we need a dog to represent that family," he said at the time.
From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026
Swoops, lines, dots, etc., can represent many vocal sounds.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
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.
