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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

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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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

rep rep. Rep.

Blair’s rep decried reports that have circulated regarding the details of the mid-flight episode, writing to “correct the record.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2026

This was not the moment for such games, the rep had concluded.

From Slate ● Oct. 29, 2026

The other industry rep is a Ph.D. and former director of the United States Geological Survey.

From Salon ● Sep. 16, 2026

The Microsoft mogul rode into the NBA in 2014 as an energetic savior, paying a then-spectacular $2 billion for a sidekick franchise with a dumpy rep and a toxic owner.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026

“Look,” I said, reaching out, ready to help him with the next rep.

From "All American Boys" by Jason Reynolds

"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

“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

“So we have to create one every single day, every single rep. Why would I not coach during stretch? If I don’t coach during stretch, I’m saying that’s not very important.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 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

Prof. Israel C. Russell's studies of the peak are in U. S. geol. survey, 5th an. rep. 335-339 and 18th an. rep., part 2, 349-415.

From The Mountain that was 'God' Being a Little Book About the Great Peak Which the Indians Named 'Tacoma' but Which is Officially Called 'Rainier' by John H. (John Harvey) Williams

Rep. Tim Burchett, a fellow Republican, sat side by side on the U.S.

From Salon ● Oct. 28, 2026

Rep. Jimmy Gomez’s reelection bid, once helped by his high-profile fight against President Trump’s immigration policies, is in peril as he tries to recover from allegations of sexual misconduct.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026

In a 1987 proposal from former Rep. Tim Penny, a Democrat who represented Minnesota from 1983-1995, the flat-rate strategy would use a benchmark determined by the dollar amount the beneficiary in the 20th percentile received.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 26, 2026

El-Sayed is in a tight race against former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers and has put out what he calls “terms of engagement” for data centers to proceed, including clear community benefits.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 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

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