/ ˌreprɪˈzent; NAmE / verb
ACT / SPEAK FOR SB
1.
[ vn ] [ often passive ] to be a member of a group of people and act or speak on their behalf at an event, a meeting, etc. :
The competition attracted over 500 contestants representing 8 different countries.
Local businesses are well represented on the committee (= there are a lot of people from them on the committee) .
The President was represented at the ceremony by the Vice-President.
2.
[ vn ] to act or speak officially for sb and defend their interests :
The union represents over 200 000 teachers.
The association was formed to represent the interests of women artists.
Ms Dale is representing the defendant (= is his / her lawyer) in the case.
BE EQUAL TO
3.
linking verb [ v - n ] (not used in the progressive tenses) to be sth
SYN constitute :
This contract represents 20% of the company's annual revenue.
This decision represents a significant departure from previous policy.
BE EXAMPLE OF
4.
[ vn ] [ no passive ] to be an example or expression of sth
SYN be typical of :
a project representing all that is good in the community
Those comments do not represent the views of us all.
BE SYMBOL
5.
[ vn ] (not used in the progressive tenses) to be a symbol of sth
SYN symbolize :
Each colour on the chart represents a different department.
Wind direction is represented by arrows.
IN PICTURE
6.
represent sb/sth (as sb/sth) to show sb/sth, especially in a picture
SYN depict :
[ vn ]
The carvings represent a hunting scene.
The results are represented in fig.3 below.
[also vn -ing ]
DESCRIBE
7.
[ vn ] represent sb (as sth) ( formal ) to present or describe sb/sth in a particular way, especially when this may not be fair :
The king is represented as a villain in the play.
The risks were represented as negligible.
MAKE FORMAL STATEMENT
8.
represent sth (to sb) ( formal ) to make a formal statement to sb in authority to make your opinions known or to protest :
[ vn ]
They represented their concerns to the authorities.
[also v that ]
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French representer or Latin repraesentare , from re- (expressing intensive force) + praesentare to present.