Showing results for represent. Search instead for representam.

Synonyms

represent

American

[rep-ri-zent] / ˌrɛp rɪˈzɛnt /

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.

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.

represent British

/ ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnt /

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

"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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

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.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

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:

represent represents represented representing

Tokenized stocks are digital tokens that represent shares of publicly traded companies.

From The Wall Street Journal ● 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

Patel said the same neurons could potentially represent a broader target for understanding or reducing anxiety.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 7, 2026

In Hindu tradition, when a body cannot be recovered, a symbolic effigy is made from sacred "kusha" grass to represent the dead, allowing relatives to perform last rites.

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026

They especially wanted paintings that would represent their own greatness.

From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day

The Taichung union, which represents around 11,000 workers at the larger plant, told AFP its talks with Micron would continue as scheduled, despite the strike plan in Taoyuan.

From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026

“This represents an important victory for the principle that women who speak out about sexual abuse should not be silenced by NDAs that contravene California law,” Barnett attorney Rosengart said in the notice.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026

Mr. Dillon, a former federal prosecutor, is a partner at Dillon PLLC, where he represents students and professors in campus misconduct cases.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026

But it is not yet clear whether this represents a new phase in the conflict.

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026

The printing press represents an information revolution, and secure facts are its consequence.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

The show’s diverse cast also represented what Bartlett called the “multiethnic gumbo” of American cities.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

Year: 2017 Compiled by: Lawrence Ware Of note: Number of a cappella groups represented in this list: 1.

From Slate ● Oct. 7, 2026

A performance shock like that represented by Liberation Day did have a silver lining for Graham Capital, however.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 7, 2026

This suggests animals may have occupied environments different from those represented in the Kheseen deposits, or that the chemical conditions responsible for fossilization there were not suitable for preserving animal remains.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 7, 2026

Kepler’s patron, the Holy Roman emperor Rudolph II, is represented by the eagle.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

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

Yet Kevin Russell, representing Boulder County, argued that the lawsuit is a run-of-the-mill tort.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026

Measure FD was pushed by the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Local 112, the union representing rank-and-file firefighters.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026

Across 35 states, only 31% of the ads we tracked – representing 22% of the spending – disclosed the use of AI tools.

From Salon ● Oct. 6, 2026

During the campaign, almost two thousand women, representing more than half of the states, took turns protesting.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023