Definition of representation noun from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
representation
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3 representations [ plural ] ( formal ) formal statements made to someone in authority, especially in order to make your opinions known or to protest We have made representations to the mayor but without success.
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representation noun 1
Hide all quotations
What does the noun representation mean?
There are 19 meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun representation , three of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
representation has developed meanings and uses in subjects including
How common is the noun representation ?
1750
31
1760
40
1770
45
1780
47
1790
49
1800
50
1810
51
1820
48
1830
47
1840
47
1850
45
1860
42
1870
43
1880
44
1890
37
1900
35
1910
32
1920
32
1930
31
1940
31
1950
36
1960
44
1970
47
1980
54
1990
69
2000
67
2010
67
How is the noun representation pronounced?
British english, u.s. english, where does the noun representation come from.
Earliest known use
Middle English
The earliest known use of the noun representation is in the Middle English period (1150—1500).
OED's earliest evidence for representation is from around 1450, in St. Elizabeth of Spalbeck .
representation is of multiple origins. Either (i) a borrowing from French . Or (ii) a borrowing from Latin .
Etymons: French representation ; Latin repraesentātiōn- , repraesentātiō .
Nearby entries
reprehensory, adj. 1576–1825
repremiation, n. 1611
represent, n. a1500–1635
represent, v.¹ c1390–
re-present, v.² 1564–
representable, adj. & n. 1630–
representamen, n. 1677–
representance, n. 1565–
representant, n. 1622–
representant, adj. 1851–82
representation, n.¹ c1450–
re-presentation, n.² 1805–
representational, adj. 1850–
representationalism, n. 1846–
representationalist, adj. & n. 1846–
representationally, adv. 1867–
representationary, adj. 1856–
representationism, n. 1842–
representationist, n. & adj. 1842–
representation theory, n. 1928–
representative, adj. & n. a1475–
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Meaning & use
Pronunciation, compounds & derived words, entry history for representation, n.¹.
representation, n.¹ was revised in December 2009.
representation, n.¹ was last modified in June 2024.
oed.com is a living text, updated every three months. Modifications may include:
further revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates;
new senses, phrases, and quotations.
Revisions and additions of this kind were last incorporated into representation, n.¹ in June 2024.
Earlier versions of this entry were published in:
OED First Edition (1906)
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OED Second Edition (1989)
View representation in OED Second Edition
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Citation details
Factsheet for representation, n.¹, browse entry.
Online Language Dictionaries
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US:USA pronunciation: respellingUSA pronunciation: respelling(rep′ri zen tā shən, -zən-)
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Definition of represent
(Entry 1 of 2)
transitive verb
intransitive verb
Definition of re-present (Entry 2 of 2)
characterize
Examples of represent in a Sentence
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.
Word History
Middle English, from Anglo-French representer , from Latin repraesentare , from re- + praesentare to present
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Kids definition of represent, legal definition, legal definition of represent, more from merriam-webster on represent.
Nglish: Translation of represent for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of represent for Arabic Speakers
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representation
rep·re·sen·ta·tion
Rep•re•sen•ta•tion.
macrograph - A life-size drawing or representation.
simulacrum - In the original sense of the word, it was simply a representation of something, such as an oil painting or marble statue.
representational art - Art that seeks to depict the physical appearance of reality; also called objective art and figurative art.
logogram , logograph , grammalogue - A logogram or logograph is the same as a grammalogue, a word represented by a single sign, like $.
Representation
- a presentation to the mind in the form of an idea or image , , , - a representation of common ground between theories or phenomena; "there was no overlap between their proposals" , , - the sum or range of what has been perceived, discovered, or learned - a representation of an idea in the form of an instance of it; "how many instantiations were found?" - a person or thing represented or foreshadowed by a type or symbol; especially a figure in the Old Testament having a counterpart in the New Testament - a conventional or formulaic conception or image; "regional stereotypes have been part of America since its founding" , - an internal representation of the world; an organization of concepts and actions that can be revised by new information about the world , - an iconic mental representation; "her imagination forced images upon her too awful to contemplate" , , - a mental representation of the meaning or significance of something - a constantly changing medley of real or imagined images (as in a dream) - the mental representation of sexual activities , , - the representation of what is perceived; basic component in the formation of a concept - something that is remembered; "search as he would, the memory was lost" , - a representative form or pattern; "I profited from his example" - a mental representation; "I tried to describe his appearance to the police" , - a hazy or indistinct representation; "it happened so fast it was just a blur"; "he tried to clear his head of the whisky fuzz" , - a representation having no reference to concrete objects or specific examples , - a representation of an abstract idea in concrete terms
- a creation that is a visual or tangible rendering of someone or something - a sketchy or imperfect or faint representation - a graphical representation of a person's auditory sensitivity to sound - a thing made to be similar or identical to another thing; "she made a copy of the designer dress"; "the clone was a copy of its ancestor" - a representation of the earth or the heavens; "the cosmography of Ptolemy" - an artifact that has been brought into existence by someone - a representation of Christ's nativity in the stable at Bethlehem , , - a representation (drawing or model) of something in which the outside is omitted to reveal the inner parts , - a visual representation of something - anything serving as a representation of a person's thinking by means of symbolic marks - a representation of forms or objects on a surface by means of lines; "drawings of abstract forms"; "he did complicated pen-and-ink drawings like medieval miniatures" - a representation (a picture or sculpture) of Jesus wearing a crown of thorns , , - a representation of a person (especially in the form of sculpture); "the coin bears an effigy of Lincoln"; "the emperor's tomb had his image carved in stone" - a visual representation (a picture or diagram) that is used make some subject more pleasing or easier to understand - a diagrammatic representation of the earth's surface (or part of it) , - representation of something (sometimes on a smaller scale) , - a graphic representation of numerical relations - a concrete representation of an abstract idea or principle , , , , - a representation of a person or scene in the form of a print or transparent slide; recorded by a camera on light-sensitive material , , , - a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface; "they showed us the pictures of their wedding"; "a movie is a series of images projected so rapidly that the eye integrates them" - a representation of the Virgin Mary mourning over the dead body of Jesus - the representation of a figure or solid on a plane as it would look from a particular direction - representation consisting of a copy (as of an engraving) made by laying paper over something and rubbing it with charcoal - a representation of the effect of shadows in a picture or drawing (as by shading or darker pigment) , - representation consisting of the scenery and other properties used to identify the location of a dramatic production; "the sets were meticulously authentic" - a representation of any of the 14 stages in Christ's journey to Calvary
- the act of representing; standing in for someone or some group and speaking with authority in their behalf - joint operation or action; "their cooperation with us was essential for the success of our mission" - representation of all parties in proportion to their popular vote
- the state of serving as an official and authorized delegate or agent , - the way something is with respect to its main attributes; "the current state of knowledge"; "his state of health"; "in a weak financial state" - (sports) the state of a professional athlete who is free to negotiate a contract to play for any team - personal representation that has legal status; "an person who has been declared incompetent should have legal representation" - a harmful or corrupting agency; "bigotry is a virus that must not be allowed to spread"; "the virus of jealousy is latent in everyone"
- a body of legislators that serve in behalf of some constituency; "a Congressional vacancy occurred in the representation from California" - a group of persons associated by some common tie or occupation and regarded as an entity; "the whole body filed out of the auditorium"; "the student body"; "administrative body"
- a factual statement made by one party in order to induce another party to enter into a contract; "the sales contract contains several representations by the vendor" - a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc; "according to his statement he was in London on that day"
- a performance of a play , , , - a dramatic or musical entertainment; "they listened to ten different performances"; "the play ran for 100 performances"; "the frequent performances of the symphony testify to its popularity" - a theatrical performance held during the daytime (especially in the afternoon)
- a statement of facts and reasons made in appealing or protesting; "certain representations were made concerning police brutality" - a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc; "according to his statement he was in London on that day"
- the right of being represented by delegates who have a voice in some legislative body - an abstract idea of that which is due to a person or governmental body by law or tradition or nature; "they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights"; "Certain rights can never be granted to the government but must be kept in the hands of the people"- Eleanor Roosevelt; "a right is not something that somebody gives you; it is something that nobody can take away"
- an activity that stands as an equivalent of something or results in an equivalent - any specific behavior; "they avoided all recreational activity" , , - the act of representing something (usually on a smaller scale) , - a dramatic representation , - an elaborate representation of scenes from history etc; usually involves a parade with rich costumes - representing figuratively as by emblem or allegory , , - providing a chart or outline of a system , - visual representation as by photography or painting - the act of representing by a type or symbol; the action of typifying
abstractionism
Additional Member System
adumbration
anaglyphoscope
anamorphosy
binary coded decimal
cognitive content
concrete representation
convergence
cosmography
repoussé
Repousse work
Reprehender
reprehensibility
reprehensible
reprehensibly
reprehension
reprehensive
reprehensively
Reprehensory
representable
representamen
Representance
representant
Re-presentation
representational
representational art
representational process
representational system
representationalism
Representationary
representative
representative downwind direction
representative downwind speed
representative fraction
representative sample
representative sampling
representatively
representativeness
represented
representee
representer
representment
representor
repressed memory
represent to
represent to (someone or something)
Represent to Witness
represent us as
represent us in
represent us to
represent you as
represent you in
represent you to
represent yourself as
represent yourself in
represent yourself to
Represent/Represented
representability
Representable functor
representablely
Representaciones Riquelme y Cerramientos Murcia
Representamen
Representant
Representante Especial del Secretario General
Representatieve Vakorganisaties
Representation (arts)
Representation (disambiguation)
Representation (psychology)
Representation Agreement Resource Centre
Representation and Maintenance of Process Knowledge
Representation and Transportation Allowances
Representation and Welfare Unit
representation condition
Représentation des Institutions Françaises de Sécurité Sociale
Representation Fund Custodian
Representation Language Language
Représentation Militaire Française
Representation of People's Act
Representation of persons; a fiction of the law
Representation of Stimuli as Neural Activity Project
10 meanings: 1. the act or an instance of representing or the state of being represented 2. anything that represents, such as a.... Click for more definitions.
REPRESENTATION
Definitions of 'representation'. 1. If a group or person has representation in a legislature or on a committee, someone in the legislature or on the committee supports them and makes decisions on their behalf. [...] 2. See also proportional representation. 3.
REPRESENTATION
REPRESENTATION definition: 1. a person or organization that speaks, acts, or is present officially for someone else: 2. the…. Learn more.
REPRESENTATION Definition & Meaning
Representation definition: the act of representing.. See examples of REPRESENTATION used in a sentence.
Representation Definition & Meaning
How to use representation in a sentence. one that represents: such as; an artistic likeness or image; a statement or account made to influence opinion or action… See the full definition
REPRESENTATION definition
REPRESENTATION meaning: 1. a person or organization that speaks, acts, or is present officially for someone else: 2. the…. Learn more.
representation noun
representation from all parties; representation for employees; representation by a lawyer; direct representation in Parliament; Whether guilty or innocent, we are still entitled to legal representation. They had a strong representation in government. The task force had broad representation with members drawn from different departments.
REPRESENTATION Definition & Usage Examples
Representation definition: . See examples of REPRESENTATION used in a sentence.
Meaning of representation
REPRESENTATION definition: 1. speaking or doing something officially for another person: 2. the way someone or something is…. Learn more.
representation noun
Definition of representation noun in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
representation, n.¹ meanings, etymology and more
There are 19 meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun representation, three of which are labelled obsolete. See 'Meaning & use' for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. representation has developed meanings and uses in subjects including. visual arts (Middle English) theatre (late 1500s) philosophy (early 1600s) law (early 1600s ...
REPRESENTATION definition in American English
representation in American English. (ˌrɛprɪzɛnˈteɪʃən ) noun. 1. a representing or being represented (in various senses); specif., the fact of representing or being represented in a legislative assembly. 2. legislative representatives, collectively. 3. a likeness, image, picture, etc.
representation
representation - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. All Free.
representation
There has been a decline in union representation in the auto industry. → proportional representation 2 [countable] a painting, sign, description etc that shows something representation of The clock in the painting is a symbolic representation of the passage of time. 3 [uncountable] the act of representing someone or something representation ...
Represent Definition & Meaning
The meaning of REPRESENT is to bring clearly before the mind : present. How to use represent in a sentence. ... to form an image or representation of in the mind. b (1): to apprehend (an object) by means of an idea (2) ... Middle English, from Anglo-French representer, from Latin repraesentare, ...
REPRESENTATION Synonyms
Synonyms for REPRESENTATION in English: body of representatives, committee, embassy, delegates, delegation, picture, model, image, portrait, illustration, … (3)
Representation
representation. (ˌrɛprɪzɛnˈteɪʃən) n. 1. the act or an instance of representing or the state of being represented. 2. anything that represents, such as a verbal or pictorial portrait. 3. anything that is represented, such as an image brought clearly to mind.
REPRESENT
REPRESENT definition: 1. to speak, act, or be present officially for another person or people: 2. to be the Member of…. Learn more.
Trustee model of representation
The trustee model of representation is a model of a representative democracy, frequently contrasted with the delegate model of representation. [1] In this model, constituents elect their representatives as 'trustees' for their constituency.These 'trustees' have autonomy to deliberate and act as they see fit, in their own conscience even if it means going against the explicit desires of their ...
representation meaning in english collins
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.... REPRESENTATION meaning: 1. a person or organization that speaks, acts, or is present officially for someone else: 2. the…. Learn more.... REPRESENTATION definition: 1. a person or organization that speaks, acts, or is present officially for someone else: 2. the….
MINORITY REPRESENTATION definition and meaning
MINORITY REPRESENTATION definition | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples
women representation definition
n a movement directed towards the removal of attitudes and practices that preserve inequalities based upon the assumption that men are superior to women, (Also called) womens lib. Women's Movement. n a grass-roots movement of women concerned with women's liberation. See → Women's Liberation. women's refuge.
UNION REPRESENTATION definition in American English
UNION REPRESENTATION meaning | Definition, pronunciation, translations and examples in American English. TRANSLATOR. LANGUAGE. GAMES. SCHOOLS. ... The latest instalment of the Learning English blog takes a look at direct speech: improve your English with Collins. Read more. Collins English Dictionary Apps.
COMMENTS
10 meanings: 1. the act or an instance of representing or the state of being represented 2. anything that represents, such as a.... Click for more definitions.
Definitions of 'representation'. 1. If a group or person has representation in a legislature or on a committee, someone in the legislature or on the committee supports them and makes decisions on their behalf. [...] 2. See also proportional representation. 3.
REPRESENTATION definition: 1. a person or organization that speaks, acts, or is present officially for someone else: 2. the…. Learn more.
Representation definition: the act of representing.. See examples of REPRESENTATION used in a sentence.
How to use representation in a sentence. one that represents: such as; an artistic likeness or image; a statement or account made to influence opinion or action… See the full definition
REPRESENTATION meaning: 1. a person or organization that speaks, acts, or is present officially for someone else: 2. the…. Learn more.
representation from all parties; representation for employees; representation by a lawyer; direct representation in Parliament; Whether guilty or innocent, we are still entitled to legal representation. They had a strong representation in government. The task force had broad representation with members drawn from different departments.
Representation definition: . See examples of REPRESENTATION used in a sentence.
REPRESENTATION definition: 1. speaking or doing something officially for another person: 2. the way someone or something is…. Learn more.
Definition of representation noun in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
There are 19 meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun representation, three of which are labelled obsolete. See 'Meaning & use' for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. representation has developed meanings and uses in subjects including. visual arts (Middle English) theatre (late 1500s) philosophy (early 1600s) law (early 1600s ...
representation in American English. (ˌrɛprɪzɛnˈteɪʃən ) noun. 1. a representing or being represented (in various senses); specif., the fact of representing or being represented in a legislative assembly. 2. legislative representatives, collectively. 3. a likeness, image, picture, etc.
representation - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. All Free.
There has been a decline in union representation in the auto industry. → proportional representation 2 [countable] a painting, sign, description etc that shows something representation of The clock in the painting is a symbolic representation of the passage of time. 3 [uncountable] the act of representing someone or something representation ...
The meaning of REPRESENT is to bring clearly before the mind : present. How to use represent in a sentence. ... to form an image or representation of in the mind. b (1): to apprehend (an object) by means of an idea (2) ... Middle English, from Anglo-French representer, from Latin repraesentare, ...
Synonyms for REPRESENTATION in English: body of representatives, committee, embassy, delegates, delegation, picture, model, image, portrait, illustration, … (3)
representation. (ˌrɛprɪzɛnˈteɪʃən) n. 1. the act or an instance of representing or the state of being represented. 2. anything that represents, such as a verbal or pictorial portrait. 3. anything that is represented, such as an image brought clearly to mind.
REPRESENT definition: 1. to speak, act, or be present officially for another person or people: 2. to be the Member of…. Learn more.
The trustee model of representation is a model of a representative democracy, frequently contrasted with the delegate model of representation. [1] In this model, constituents elect their representatives as 'trustees' for their constituency.These 'trustees' have autonomy to deliberate and act as they see fit, in their own conscience even if it means going against the explicit desires of their ...
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.... REPRESENTATION meaning: 1. a person or organization that speaks, acts, or is present officially for someone else: 2. the…. Learn more.... REPRESENTATION definition: 1. a person or organization that speaks, acts, or is present officially for someone else: 2. the….
MINORITY REPRESENTATION definition | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples
n a movement directed towards the removal of attitudes and practices that preserve inequalities based upon the assumption that men are superior to women, (Also called) womens lib. Women's Movement. n a grass-roots movement of women concerned with women's liberation. See → Women's Liberation. women's refuge.
UNION REPRESENTATION meaning | Definition, pronunciation, translations and examples in American English. TRANSLATOR. LANGUAGE. GAMES. SCHOOLS. ... The latest instalment of the Learning English blog takes a look at direct speech: improve your English with Collins. Read more. Collins English Dictionary Apps.