representation

[ rep-ri-zen-tey-shuhn, -zuhn- ]

/ ˌrɛp rɪ zɛnˈteɪ ʃən, -zən- /

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See synonyms for: representation / representations on Thesaurus.com

noun

the act of representing.

the state of being represented.

the expression or designation by some term, character, symbol, or the like.

action or speech on behalf of a person, group, business house, state, or the like by an agent, deputy, or representative.

the state or fact of being so represented: to demand representation on a board of directors.

Government. the state, fact, or right of being represented by delegates having a voice in legislation or government.

the body or number of representatives, as of a constituency.

Diplomacy.

the act of speaking or negotiating on behalf of a state.
an utterance on behalf of a state.

presentation to the mind, as of an idea or image.

a mental image or idea so presented; concept.

the act of portrayal, picturing, or other rendering in visible form.

a picture, figure, statue, etc.

the production or a performance of a play or the like, as on the stage.

Often representations. a description or statement, as of things true or alleged.

a statement of facts, reasons, etc., made in appealing or protesting; a protest or remonstrance.

Law. an implication or statement of fact to which legal liability may attach if material: a representation of authority.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of representation

1375–1425; late Middle English representacion<Latin repraesentātiōn- (stem of repraesentātiō), equivalent to repraesentāt(us) (past participle of repraesentāre to represent) + -iōn--ion

OTHER WORDS FROM representation

non·rep·re·sen·ta·tion, nouno·ver·rep·re·sen·ta·tion, nounpre·rep·re·sen·ta·tion, nounself-rep·re·sen·ta·tion, noun

un·der·rep·re·sen·ta·tion, noun

Words nearby representation

repr., reprehend, reprehensible, reprehension, represent, representation, representational, representationalism, representative, representatives, repress

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use representation in a sentence

It was a metaphorical statement of giving and withdrawing consent for a show rooted in a literal representation of Coel being assaulted.
How Michaela Coel Tells Awkward Truths|Eromo Egbejule|August 30, 2020|Ozy
The mathematically manipulated results are passed on and augmented through the stages, finally producing an integrated representation of a face.
The Bias in the Machine - Issue 89: The Dark Side|Sidney Perkowitz|August 19, 2020|Nautilus
I hope this list—a representation of the most consequential changes taking places in our world—is similarly useful for you.
Introducing Quartz’s new Obsessions|Katherine Bell|August 13, 2020|Quartz
“Given the moment we are in, I can only hope our institutions really understand what this failure of representation means to our city,” he said.
Few Latino Residents Are Applying to Take Part in Redistricting|Andrew Keatts and Maya Srikrishnan|July 8, 2020|Voice of San Diego

The voters don’t want to have an elected city attorney on the, and representation said, that’s fine.
Politics Report: Vacation Rentals? It’s Just Like Old Times!|Scott Lewis and Andrew Keatts|July 4, 2020|Voice of San Diego
With all that said, representation of each of these respective communities has increased in the new Congress.
The Unbearable Whiteness of Congress|Dean Obeidallah|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
As this excellent piece in Mother Jones describes, however, Holsey had outrageously poor representation during his trial.
How the U.S. Justice System Screws Prisoners with Disabilities|Elizabeth Picciuto|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
During that time days, Livvix went through court hearings without legal representation.
The Strange Case of the Christian Zionist Terrorist|Creede Newton|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
What do you think prompted the change in comic book representation of LGBTQ characters?
Gail Simone’s Bisexual Catman and the ‘Secret Six’|Rich Goldstein|December 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Barbie is an unrealistic, unhealthy, insulting representation of female appearance.
Sexism Begins in the Toy Aisle|Nancy Kaffer|November 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
With less intelligent children traces of this tendency to take pictorial representation for reality may appear as late as four.
Children's Ways|James Sully
As observation widens and grows finer, the first bald representation becomes fuller and more life-like.
Children's Ways|James Sully
The child now aims at constructing a particular linear representation, that of a man, a horse, or what not.
Children's Ways|James Sully
He had heard it hinted that allowing the colonies representation in Parliament would be a simple plan for making taxes legal.
The Eve of the Revolution|Carl Becker
But sufficient can be discerned for the grasping of the idea, which seems to be a representation of the Nativity.
The Portsmouth Road and Its Tributaries|Charles G. Harper

British Dictionary definitions for representation

representation

/ (ˌrɛprɪzɛnˈteɪʃən) /

noun

the act or an instance of representing or the state of being represented

anything that represents, such as a verbal or pictorial portrait

anything that is represented, such as an image brought clearly to mind

the principle by which delegates act for a constituency

a body of representatives

contract law a statement of fact made by one party to induce another to enter into a contract

an instance of acting for another, on his authority, in a particular capacity, such as executor or administrator

a dramatic production or performance

(often plural) a statement of facts, true or alleged, esp one set forth by way of remonstrance or expostulation

linguistics an analysis of a word, sentence, etc, into its constituentsphonetic representation

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

representation

Origin of representation

OTHER WORDS FROM representation

Words nearby representation

Words related to representation

How to use representation in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for representation