represent Definition

represent
verb represented, representing

1a. To serve as a symbol or sign for something;

Example: letters represent sounds
Thesaurus: symbolize, stand for, personify, signify, typify, exemplify, substitute for, impersonate, copy, imitate, reproduce.
1b. To stand for something or correspond to it.

Example: A thesis represents years of hard work
2. To speak or act on behalf of (someone else).

Thesaurus: serve for, speak for, act for, be deputy for, act in place of, stand in place of, be proxy for.
3a. To be a good example of something;
3b. To typify something.

Example: What he said represents the feelings of many people
4. To present an image of or portray someone or something, especially through painting or sculpture.
5. To bring someone or something clearly to mind.

Example: a film that represents all the horrors of war
6. To describe in a specified way; to attribute a specified character or quality to (someone, something, oneself, etc).

Example: represented themselves as experts
7. To show, state or explain.

Example: represent the difficulties forcibly to the committee
8. To be an elected member of Parliament for (a constituency).
9. To act out or play the part of someone or something on stage.

Derivative: representable
adj

Derivative: representability
noun

Etymology: 14c: from Latin repraesentare to exhibit, from praesentare to present.