# represent

/ˌɹɛpɹɪˈzɛnt/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/represent
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to act for others

verb · CEFR B1

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

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

- The lawyer was hired to represent the family in court.
- 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.

### 2. to be a symbol

verb · CEFR B1

to be a sign or symbol of something else.

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

- In this painting, the dove is used to represent peace.
- The various colours on the national flag represent the diverse cultural heritages that unified to form the modern republic.

### 3. to show or depict

verb · CEFR B2

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

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

- The map represents the city as it looked one hundred years ago.
- The documentary was criticized for failing to represent the complexity of the historical events accurately.

### 4. to be a part of a total

verb · CEFR B2 · Academic

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

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

- Small businesses represent about half of the country's economy.
- These findings represent a significant breakthrough in our understanding of how the virus replicates within human cells.

### 5. to compete for a team

verb · CEFR B1

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

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

- She was proud to represent her country in the Olympic Games.
- After years of rigorous training, the athlete finally earned the opportunity to represent the national team at the world championships.

### 6. to return for medical care

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

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

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

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

## Examples

- She will represent our team at the meeting tomorrow.
- The local member of parliament is elected to represent the interests of everyone living in this district.
- In many ancient cultures, the lion was chosen to represent courage and royal authority because of its perceived dominance in the animal kingdom.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.