# representation

/ˌɹɛpɹəzɛnˈteɪʃən/ (US) · /ɹˌɛpɹɪzˈɛntˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. artistic portrayal

noun · CEFR B2

a picture, model, or description of someone or something.

For teachers: the depiction of someone or something in a creative work or through a physical model.

- The painting is a realistic representation of the local countryside.
- The artist's abstract representation of the city skyline focused more on the emotional energy of the streets than on architectural accuracy.

### 2. political delegation

noun · CEFR B2

the system where people choose a person to speak for them in government.

For teachers: the state or process of being represented by elected officials in a legislative body.

- The citizens demanded better representation in the national parliament.
- Proponents of electoral reform argue that the current system fails to provide fair representation for minority parties in the legislature.

### 3. legal advocacy

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the act of a lawyer speaking for a person in a court of law.

For teachers: the provision of legal counsel to act on behalf of a client in judicial proceedings.

- The defendant was entitled to legal representation during the trial.
- Without adequate legal representation, the defendant struggled to navigate the complexities of the cross-examination process.

### 4. media diversity

noun · CEFR B2

how different groups of people are shown in films, books, or news.

For teachers: the manner in which specific demographic groups are portrayed in media, often regarding accuracy and frequency.

- The film was praised for its positive representation of women in science.
- The study examined the representation of ethnic minorities in prime-time television dramas over the last decade.

### 5. formal statement

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a formal statement or complaint made to someone in authority.

For teachers: a formal statement of facts or reasons made to influence an opinion or action.

- The union made a representation to the board about the new safety rules.
- The ambassador made strong representations to the foreign ministry regarding the treatment of detained citizens.

### 6. mathematical mapping

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a way of showing a mathematical structure using simpler parts like vectors.

For teachers: a mapping of an algebraic structure into a set of linear transformations on a vector space.

- The professor explained the group representation using a simple matrix.
- In quantum mechanics, the representation of the rotation group is fundamental to understanding the angular momentum of particles.

## Examples

- The workers demanded better representation in the company's board meetings.
- The defendant was granted legal representation after the court determined he could not afford his own lawyer.
- Modern political theory often grapples with whether proportional representation truly reflects the diverse interests of a fragmented electorate or merely complicates the process of forming a stable government.

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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.