rep·re·sent
ˌre-pri-ˈzent 
represented; representing; represents
1
: to bring clearly before the mind : present
a book which represents the character of early America
2
: to serve as a sign or symbol of
the flag represents our country
3
: to portray or exhibit in art : depict
4
: to serve as the counterpart or image of : typify
a movie hero who represents the ideals of the culture
5
a
: to produce on the stage
b
: to act the part or role of
6
a(1)
: to take the place of in some respect
(2)
: to act in the place of or for usually by legal right
(3)
: to manage the legal and business affairs of
athletes represented by top lawyers and agents
b
: to serve especially in a legislative body by delegated authority usually resulting from election
7
: to describe as having a specified character or quality
represents himself as a friend
8
a
: to give one's impression and judgment of : state in a manner intended to affect action or judgment
b
: to point out in protest or remonstrance
9
: to serve as a specimen, example, or instance of
10
a
: to form an image or representation of in the mind
b(1)
: to apprehend (an object) by means of an idea
(2)
: to recall in memory
11
: to correspond to in essence : constitute
1
: to make representations against something : protest
2
slang
: to perform a task or duty admirably : serve as an outstanding example
representer
noun
Synonyms
Examples of represent in a Sentence
Verb (1)
He represented his company at the meeting.
She hired an agent to represent her in the contract negotiations.
Senator Smith represents the state of Connecticut.
The company is represented by a local law firm.
She represented the United States in figure skating at the Olympics.
The court's decision represents a victory for small businesses.
The new prices represent a substantial increase over last year's prices.
Recent Examples on the Web
Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 31 May 2024
Beyond Oil's solution represents a significant global advancement in safeguarding the health of diners and kitchen workers in factories or restaurants that reuse the same oil over an extended period.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 May 2024
If a third of drivers are interested in buying an EV, that third represents more potential buyers in California than Montana.
—Bloomberg, Orange County Register, 31 May 2024
In the mural, the painting of a peacock represents her grandparents and a phoenix is a nod to Tsugawa’s Chinese heritage.
—Acsah Lemma, Sacramento Bee, 31 May 2024
Some health center cuts represent a return to pre-pandemic staffing, after temporary federal pandemic funding dried up.
—CBS News, 30 May 2024
Another prominent figure in the book represents mass movement in the other direction: deportation.
—Barbara Spindel, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 May 2024
Neither Ukraine's military nor its military intelligence agency returned a request for comment on whether Russia's activity near Kharkiv represented a major change in the war's trajectory.
—Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY, 19 May 2024
The union — best known for representing Broadway actors and stage managers — already bargains on behalf of performers in shows at Walt Disney World and in Disney Theatricals on Broadway and on national tours.
—Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 May 2024
David Benedict, Variety, 13 July 2023
Verb
In healthcare, Latinos represent 21% of workers compared to whites, who command 65% of the workforce.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 31 May 2024
Beyond Oil's solution represents a significant global advancement in safeguarding the health of diners and kitchen workers in factories or restaurants that reuse the same oil over an extended period.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 May 2024
If a third of drivers are interested in buying an EV, that third represents more potential buyers in California than Montana.
—Bloomberg, Orange County Register, 31 May 2024
In the mural, the painting of a peacock represents her grandparents and a phoenix is a nod to Tsugawa’s Chinese heritage.
—Acsah Lemma, Sacramento Bee, 31 May 2024
Some health center cuts represent a return to pre-pandemic staffing, after temporary federal pandemic funding dried up.
—CBS News, 30 May 2024
Another prominent figure in the book represents mass movement in the other direction: deportation.
—Barbara Spindel, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 May 2024
Neither Ukraine's military nor its military intelligence agency returned a request for comment on whether Russia's activity near Kharkiv represented a major change in the war's trajectory.
—Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY, 19 May 2024
The union — best known for representing Broadway actors and stage managers — already bargains on behalf of performers in shows at Walt Disney World and in Disney Theatricals on Broadway and on national tours.
—Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 May 2024
Verb
Arriving at the doctor’s home in Hungary having not seen Semmelweis for eleven years, two former colleagues beg him to return to Vienna to re-present his findings from all those years ago to a medical conference.
—David Benedict, Variety, 13 July 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'represent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near represent
Cite this Entry
“Represent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/represent. Accessed 4 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
represent
verb
rep·re·sent
ˌrep-ri-ˈzent
1
: to serve as a sign or symbol of
the flag represents our country
2
: to present a picture, image, or likeness of : portray
this picture represents a scene at Queen Elizabeth's court
3
a
: to take the place of in some respect
b
: to act for or in the place of (as in a legislative body)
c
: to manage the legal and business affairs of
he represented one of the sport's top athletes
4
: to describe as having a certain character or quality
represented himself as being poor
5
: to serve as an example or instance of
representer
noun
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