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• rep
  rep

  noun

  a transversely corded fabric of wool, silk, rayon, or cotton.
• rep.
  rep.

  abbreviation

  (in prescriptions) let it be repeated.
• Rep.
  Rep.

  abbreviation

  Representative.

rep

¹ American  

[rep] / rɛp /

Or repp

noun

1. a transversely corded fabric of wool, silk, rayon, or cotton.

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rep ² American  

[rep] / rɛp /

noun

Informal.

1. a repertory theater.

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rep ³ American  

noun

Informal.

1. a shortened form of repetition.

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rep ⁴ American  

noun

Informal.

1. a representative, especially a sales representative.

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rep ⁵ American  

noun

Informal.

1. a shortened form of reputation.

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rep ⁶ American  

[rep] / rɛp /

noun

Nucleonics.

1. a unit proposed as a supplement to roentgen for expressing dosage of ionizing radiation: subsequently abandoned.

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rep. ⁷ American  

abbreviation

1. (in prescriptions) let it be repeated.

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rep. ⁸ American  

abbreviation

1. repair.

2. repeat.

3. report.

4. reported.

5. reporter.

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Rep. ⁹ American  

abbreviation

1. Representative.

2. Republic.

3. Republican.

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Rep. ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. Representative

2. Republican

3. Republic

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rep ² British  

/ rɛp /

noun

1. a silk, wool, rayon, or cotton fabric with a transversely corded surface

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rep ³ British  

/ rɛp /

noun

1. theatre short for repertory company

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rep ⁴ British  

/ rɛp /

noun

1. short for representative representative

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rep ⁵ British  

/ rɛp /

noun

1. informal short for reputation

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Usage

What does rep mean? Rep is most often used as a shortening of several common words, including repetition, representative, and reputation, as well as many others. When used to mean repetition, rep is most commonly used in exercise and weightlifting, as in six reps on the leg press. When used to mean representative, rep is often used in customer service and sales. It’s also used in US politics, in which a Representative is a member of the House of Representatives. When it’s used to mean reputation, rep is mostly used in very informal settings, often referring to someone’s favor with others in a similar group. Sometimes rep is more common than the full term. The context that rep is used in usually hints at which term the shortening represents. Example: Please contact a sales rep if you have any problems with your order.

Other Word Forms

• repped
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of rep¹

First recorded in 1855–60; from French reps, perhaps from English ribs; see rib ¹

Origin of rep²

By shortening

Origin of rep³

First recorded in 1855–60

Origin of rep⁴

By shortening

Origin of rep⁵

First recorded in 1670–80

Origin of rep⁶

First recorded in 1945–50; r(oentgen) e(quivalent) p(hysical)

Origin of rep.⁷

From the Latin word repetātur

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

rep rep. Rep.

That’s the value of one more rep on the bench when your head wants to give up but your muscles haven’t given out.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026

When she arrived, however, a holiday rep told her it was not.

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026

"Not a TUI rep to be seen to support in the airport, and hotel reps haven't even been made aware of the issues," she added.

From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026

The rep confirmed that — after its stop in Minneapolis — Secret Handshake plans to bring the sculpture to other cities soon, adding that L.A. “would be amazing.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026

I rep hard for my hood wherever I go.

From "Pride" by Ibi Zoboi

"I think it's really unfairly got a bad rep. And I think that's because in the news or on social media, people don't want to talk about good things."

From BBC ● Jan. 1, 2025

“He’s proven that he can play in a game against an outstanding team that’s throwing the football. Now, we just gotta keep building his confidence, rep by rep. That’s only going to come in time.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2023

“I mean, I treat every rep out there, like a game rep. So if I do play, what is it Monday night, I’ll be ready to go.”

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 21, 2022

“I was working for Kenneth Cole as their Northeast rep. Billy was one of my accounts. When I left his store, I turned to my friend and said, ‘There’s something about that man.

From New York Times ● Jul. 8, 2021

I want my boys to remain with you until they rep. 195ceive their education.

From The Wonder Island Boys: Treasures of the Island by Roger Thompson Finlay

Rep. Josh Gottheimer was watching his daughter’s field hockey game in northern New Jersey on Thursday when two parents approached him to air their concerns about artificial intelligence and ask, “What is going on?”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 12, 2026

If they did, Texas State Rep. James Talarico’s planned Thursday appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” would have occurred without much fanfare.

From Salon ● Sep. 10, 2026

A College of the Sequoias professor, he is attempting to unseat Republican Rep. David Valadao.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 6, 2026

Although it was Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs who formally introduced the resolution, Wednesday marked the first time in 30 years that a House speaker has led the charge on proposing a constitutional amendment.

From Slate ● Sep. 3, 2026

Lower Canada, its development between 1851 and 1861, 47-8; and Rep. by Pop. and Non-sectarian Schools, 54, 56.

From The Day of Sir John Macdonald A Chronicle of the First Prime Minister of the Dominion by Sir Joseph Pope