What does "represent" mean?

1. (to act for others) to speak or act officially for another person, a group, or a country. 2. (to be a symbol) to be a sign or symbol of something else. 3. (to show or depict) to show something in a picture, a book, or a play. 4. (to be a part of a total) to make up a certain amount or part of a whole group. 5. (to compete for a team) to take part in a sports event for a particular team or country. 6. (to return for medical care) to go back to a doctor or hospital with the same health problem.

How do you use "represent"?

Transitive; takes a direct object representing the person or group being served. Often used intransitively in medical contexts.

represent

US //ˌɹɛpɹɪˈzɛnt// rep·re·sent

1 to act for others (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to speak or act officially for another person, a group, or a country.

to act as a proxy or agent for a person, organization, or constituency, especially in a legal or political capacity.

Example

The lawyer was hired to represent the family in court.

Example

The local councillor was elected to represent the interests of the residents during the urban planning committee meetings.

Usage

Transitive; takes a direct object representing the person or group being served.
- speak for
- act for
2 to be a symbol (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to be a sign or symbol of something else.

to serve as a conventional sign, symbol, or emblem for an abstract concept or entity.

Example

In this painting, the dove is used to represent peace.

Example

The various colours on the national flag represent the diverse cultural heritages that unified to form the modern republic.
- symbolize
- stand for
- embody

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3 to show or depict (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to show something in a picture, a book, or a play.

to portray or depict someone or something in a specific way through artistic or linguistic means.

Example

The map represents the city as it looked one hundred years ago.

Example

The documentary was criticized for failing to represent the complexity of the historical events accurately.
4 to be a part of a total (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

to make up a certain amount or part of a whole group.

to constitute or make up a specific proportion or example of a larger set.

Example

Small businesses represent about half of the country's economy.

Example

These findings represent a significant breakthrough in our understanding of how the virus replicates within human cells.
- constitute
- make up
- account for
5 to compete for a team (v.)
B1 Intermediate Sport

to take part in a sports event for a particular team or country.

to participate in a competition as a member of a specific team or national squad.

Example

She was proud to represent her country in the Olympic Games.

Example

After years of rigorous training, the athlete finally earned the opportunity to represent the national team at the world championships.
- play for
- compete for
6 to return for medical care (v.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Formal Medicine

to go back to a doctor or hospital with the same health problem.

to return to a medical facility for further evaluation of a previously noted condition.

Example

The patient was told to represent if the pain became worse.

Example

Clinical guidelines suggest that patients who represent with recurring symptoms within forty-eight hours should be admitted for observation.

Usage

Often used intransitively in medical contexts.
- return

Etymology 1

From Old French représenter, from Latin repraesentō.

Etymology 2

From re- + present.