representation

/rɛprɪzɛnˈteɪʃɪn/

/rɛprəzɛnˈteɪʃən/

Other forms: representations

A representation acts or serves on behalf or in place of something. A lawyer provides legal representation for his client. A caricature is an exaggerated representation or likeness of a person.

Representation comes from the Latin repraesentare meaning "bring before, exhibit." A representation is an exhibit, whether it comes in the form of legal guidance or in the form of artistic expression. The act of representation has to do with replacing or acting on behalf of an original. Elected officials serve as the representation for their constituency — or at least it's supposed to work that way.

Definitions of representation
  1. noun
    the act of representing; standing in for someone or some group and speaking with authority in their behalf
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    types:
    proportional representation
    representation of all parties in proportion to their popular vote
    type of:
    cooperation
    joint operation or action
  2. noun
    a presentation to the mind in the form of an idea or image
    synonyms: internal representation, mental representation
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    types:
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    convergence, intersection, overlap
    a representation of common ground between theories or phenomena
    instantiation
    a representation of an idea in the form of an instance of it
    antitype
    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
    stereotype
    a conventional or formulaic conception or image
    schema, scheme
    an internal representation of the world; an organization of concepts and actions that can be revised by new information about the world
    image, mental image
    an iconic mental representation
    interpretation, reading, version
    a mental representation of the meaning or significance of something
    phantasmagoria
    a constantly changing medley of real or imagined images (as in a dream)
    psychosexuality
    the mental representation of sexual activities
    percept, perception, perceptual experience
    the representation of what is perceived; basic component in the formation of a concept
    memory
    something that is remembered
    example, model
    a representative form or pattern
    appearance
    a mental representation
    blur, fuzz
    a hazy or indistinct representation
    abstractionism, unrealism
    a representation having no reference to concrete objects or specific examples
    concrete representation, concretism
    a representation of an abstract idea in concrete terms
    reminiscence
    a mental impression retained and recalled from the past
    crossroads
    a point where a choice must be made
    interface
    the overlap where two theories or phenomena affect each other or have links with each other
    imagination image, thought-image
    a mental image produced by the imagination
    reinterpretation
    a new or different meaning
    figure
    a unitary percept having structure and coherence that is the object of attention and that stands out against a ground
    ground
    a relatively homogeneous percept extending back of the figure on which attention is focused
    visual image, visual percept
    a percept that arises from the eyes; an image in the visual system
    recollection
    something recalled to the mind
    engram, memory trace
    a postulated biochemical change (presumably in neural tissue) that represents a memory
    confabulation
    (psychiatry) a plausible but imagined memory that fills in gaps in what is remembered
    screen memory
    an imagined memory of a childhood experience; hides another memory of distressing significance
    memory image
    a mental image of something previously experienced
    visual image, visualisation, visualization
    a mental image that is similar to a visual perception
    impression, mental picture, picture
    a clear and telling mental image
    auditory image
    a mental image that is similar to an auditory perception
    loadstar, lodestar
    something that serves as a model or guide
    epitome, image, paradigm, prototype
    a standard or typical example
    holotype, type specimen
    the original specimen from which the description of a new species is made
    microcosm
    a miniature model of something
    archetype, original, pilot
    something that serves as a model or a basis for making copies
    guide, template, templet
    a model or standard for making comparisons
    prefiguration
    an example that prefigures or foreshadows what is to come
    illusion, semblance
    an erroneous mental representation
    3-D, 3D, three-D
    having a three-dimensional form or appearance
    front
    the outward appearance of a person
    embodiment, shape
    a concrete representation of an otherwise nebulous concept
    anagoge
    a mystical or allegorical interpretation (especially of Scripture)
    type of:
    cognitive content, content, mental object
    the sum or range of what has been perceived, discovered, or learned
  3. noun
    an activity that stands as an equivalent of something or results in an equivalent
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    model, modeling, modelling
    the act of representing something (usually on a smaller scale)
    dramatisation, dramatization
    a dramatic representation
    pageant, pageantry
    an elaborate representation of scenes from history, etc.; usually involves a parade with rich costumes
    figuration
    representing figuratively as by emblem or allegory
    diagramming, schematisation, schematization
    providing a chart or outline of a system
    pictorial representation, picturing
    visual representation as by photography or painting
    typification
    the act of representing by a type or symbol; the action of typifying
    simulation
    the act of imitating the behavior of some situation or some process by means of something suitably analogous (especially for the purpose of study or personnel training)
    guerrilla theater, street theater
    dramatization of a social issue; enacted outside in a park or on the street
    puppetry
    a stilted dramatic performance (as if by puppets)
    symbolising, symbolizing
    the act of representing something with a symbol
    delineation, depiction, portrayal
    representation by drawing or painting etc
    imaging, tomography
    (medicine) obtaining pictures of the interior of the body
    photography, picture taking
    the act of taking and printing photographs
    type of:
    activity
    any specific behavior
  4. noun
    a creation that is a visual or tangible rendering of someone or something
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    adumbration
    a sketchy or imperfect or faint representation
    audiogram
    a graphical representation of a person's auditory sensitivity to sound
    copy
    a thing made to be similar or identical to another thing
    cosmography
    a representation of the earth or the heavens
    creche
    a representation of Christ's nativity in the stable at Bethlehem
    cutaway, cutaway drawing, cutaway model
    a representation (drawing or model) of something in which the outside is omitted to reveal the inner parts
    display, presentation
    a visual representation of something
    document
    anything serving as a representation of a person's thinking by means of symbolic marks
    drawing
    a representation of forms or objects on a surface by means of lines
    ecce homo
    a representation (a picture or sculpture) of Jesus wearing a crown of thorns
    effigy, image, simulacrum
    a representation of a person (especially in the form of sculpture)
    illustration
    a visual representation (a picture or diagram) that is used make some subject more pleasing or easier to understand
    map
    a diagrammatic representation of the earth's surface (or part of it)
    model, simulation
    a representation of something (sometimes on a smaller scale)
    nomogram, nomograph
    a graphic representation of numerical relations
    objectification
    a concrete representation of an abstract idea or principle
    exposure, photo, photograph, pic, picture
    a representation of a person or scene in the form of a print or transparent slide; recorded by a camera on light-sensitive material
    icon, ikon, image, picture
    a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
    pieta
    a representation of the Virgin Mary mourning over the dead body of Jesus
    projection
    the representation of a figure or solid on a plane as it would look from a particular direction
    rubbing
    representation consisting of a copy (as of an engraving) made by laying paper over something and rubbing it with charcoal
    shade
    a representation of the effect of shadows in a picture or drawing (as by shading or darker pigment)
    set, stage set
    representation consisting of the scenery and other properties used to identify the location of a dramatic production
    Station of the Cross
    a representation of any of the 14 stages in Christ's journey to Calvary
    avatar
    an electronic image representing a computer user
    anamorphism, anamorphosis
    a distorted projection or perspective; especially an image distorted in such a way that it becomes visible only when viewed in a special manner
    beefcake
    a photograph of a muscular man in minimal attire
    bitmap, electronic image
    an image represented as a two dimensional array of brightness values for pixels
    black and white, monochrome
    a black-and-white photograph or slide
    blueprint
    photographic print of plans or technical drawings etc.
    carbon, carbon copy
    a copy made with carbon paper
    cast, casting
    object formed by a mold
    charcoal
    a drawing made with a stick of black carbon material
    chart
    a map designed to assist navigation by air or sea
    cheesecake
    a photograph of an attractive woman in minimal attire
    chiaroscuro
    a monochrome picture made by using several different shades of the same color
    choropleth map
    a map that uses graded differences in shading or color or the placing of symbols inside defined areas on the map in order to indicate the average values of some property or quantity in those areas
    closeup
    a photograph or video taken at close range
    collage, montage
    a paste-up made by sticking together pieces of paper or photographs to form an artistic image
    contour map, relief map
    a map having contour lines through points of equal elevation
    daguerreotype
    a photograph made by an early photographic process; the image was produced on a silver plate sensitized to iodine and developed in mercury vapor
    delineation, depiction, limning, line drawing
    a drawing of the outlines of forms or objects
    diagram
    a drawing intended to explain how something works; a drawing showing the relation between the parts
    duplicate, duplication
    a copy that corresponds to an original exactly
    blowup, enlargement, magnification
    a photographic print that has been enlarged
    autotype, facsimile
    an exact copy or reproduction
    figure
    a model of a bodily form (especially of a person)
    float
    an elaborate display mounted on a platform carried by a truck (or pulled by a truck) in a procession or parade
    foil, transparency
    picture consisting of a positive photograph or drawing on a transparent base; viewed with a projector
    frame
    a single one of a series of still transparent pictures forming a cinema, television or video film
    globe
    a sphere on which a map (especially of the earth) is represented
    glossy
    a photograph that is printed on smooth shiny paper
    computer graphic, graphic
    an image that is generated by a computer
    Guy
    an effigy of Guy Fawkes that is burned on a bonfire on Guy Fawkes Day
    headshot
    a photograph of a person's head
    hologram, holograph
    the intermediate photograph (or photographic record) that contains information for reproducing a three-dimensional image by holography
    iconography
    the images and symbolic representations that are traditionally associated with a person or a subject
    god, graven image, idol
    a material effigy that is worshipped
    imitation
    something copied or derived from an original
    inset
    a small picture inserted within the bounds or a larger one
    clone, knockoff
    an unauthorized copy or imitation
    likeness, semblance
    picture consisting of a graphic image of a person or thing
    longshot
    a photograph taken from a distance
    map projection
    a projection of the globe onto a flat map using a grid of lines of latitude and longitude
    mechanical drawing
    scale drawing of a machine or architectural plan etc,
    microdot
    photograph reduced to the size of a dot (usually for purposes of security)
    miniature, toy
    a copy that reproduces a person or thing in greatly reduced size
    mock-up
    full-scale working model of something built for study or testing or display
    modification
    slightly modified copy; not an exact copy
    arial mosaic, mosaic, photomosaic
    arrangement of aerial photographs forming a composite picture
    mug shot, mugshot
    a photograph of someone's face (especially one made for police records)
    cyclorama, diorama, panorama
    a picture (or series of pictures) representing a continuous scene
    pen-and-ink
    a drawing executed with pen and ink
    photocopy
    a photographic copy of written or printed or graphic work
    photographic print, print
    a printed picture produced from a photographic negative
    photomicrograph
    a photograph taken with the help of a microscope
    architectural plan, plan
    scale drawing of a structure
    planetarium
    an apparatus or model for representing the solar systems
    plat
    a map showing planned or actual features of an area (streets and building lots etc.)
    plate
    a full-page illustration (usually on slick paper)
    print
    a copy of a movie on film (especially a particular version of it)
    quadruplicate
    any four copies; any of four things that correspond to one another exactly
    radiogram, radiograph, shadowgraph, skiagram, skiagraph
    a photographic image produced on a radiosensitive surface by radiation other than visible light (especially by X-rays or gamma rays)
    restoration
    a model that represents the landscape of a former geological age or that represents and extinct animal etc.
    reflection, reflexion
    the image of something as reflected by a mirror (or other reflective material)
    rendering
    perspective drawing of an architect's design
    replica, replication, reproduction
    copy that is not the original; something that has been copied
    road map
    a map showing roads (for automobile travel)
    roughcast
    a rough preliminary model
    CAT scan, scan
    an image produced by scanning
    bird-scarer, scarecrow, scarer, straw man, strawman
    an effigy in the shape of a man to frighten birds away from seeds
    scene, scenery
    the painted structures of a stage set that are intended to suggest a particular locale
    doodle, scrabble, scribble
    an aimless drawing
    silhouette
    a drawing of the outline of an object; filled in with some uniform color
    silverpoint
    a drawing made on specially prepared paper with an instrument having a silver tip (15th and 16th centuries)
    sketch, study
    preliminary drawing for later elaboration
    sketch map
    a map drawn from observation (rather than from exact measurements) and representing the main features of an area
    shot, snap, snapshot
    an informal photograph; usually made with a small hand-held camera
    Snellen chart
    display consisting of a printed card with letters and numbers in lines of decreasing size; used to test visual acuity
    echogram, sonogram
    an image of a structure that is produced by ultrasonography (reflections of high-frequency sound waves); used to observe fetal growth or to study bodily organs
    spectacle
    an elaborate and remarkable display on a lavish scale
    spectrogram, spectrograph
    a photographic record of a spectrum
    stereo, stereoscopic photograph, stereoscopic picture
    two photographs taken from slightly different angles that appear three-dimensional when viewed together
    stick figure
    drawing of a human or animal that represents the head by a circle and the rest of the body by straight lines
    still
    a static photograph (especially one taken from a movie and used for advertising purposes)
    telephoto, telephotograph
    a photograph made with a telephoto lens
    telephotograph
    a photograph transmitted and reproduced over a distance
    time exposure
    a photograph produced with a relatively long exposure time
    trace, tracing
    a drawing created by superimposing a semitransparent sheet of paper on the original image and copying on it the lines of the original image
    triplicate
    one of three copies; any of three things that correspond to one another exactly
    vignette
    a photograph whose edges shade off gradually
    wax figure, waxwork
    an effigy (usually of a famous person) made of wax
    weather chart, weather map
    (meteorology) a map showing the principal meteorological elements at a given time and over an extended region
    wedding picture
    photographs of bride and groom and their friends taken at their wedding
    xerox, xerox copy
    a copy made by a xerographic printer
    scene, shot
    a consecutive series of pictures that constitutes a unit of action in a film
    letter, missive
    a written message addressed to a person or organization
    diorama
    a three-dimensional representation of a scene, in miniature or life-size, with figures and objects set against a background
    selfie
    a photograph that you take of yourself, typically with a digital camera
    pastel
    a drawing made with pastel sticks
    type of:
    creation
    an artifact that has been brought into existence by someone
  5. noun
    a performance of a play
    synonyms: histrionics, theatrical, theatrical performance
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    matinee
    a theatrical performance held during the daytime (especially in the afternoon)
    type of:
    performance, public presentation
    a dramatic or musical entertainment
  6. noun
    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”
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    statement
    a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
  7. noun
    a statement of facts and reasons made in appealing or protesting
    “certain representations were made concerning police brutality”
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    type of:
    statement
    a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
  8. noun
    the state of serving as an official and authorized delegate or agent
    synonyms: agency, delegacy
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    types:
    free agency
    (sports) the state of a professional athlete who is free to negotiate a contract to play for any team
    legal representation
    personal representation that has legal status
    virus
    a harmful or corrupting agency
    type of:
    state
    the way something is with respect to its main attributes
  9. noun
    the right of being represented by delegates who have a voice in some legislative body
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    type of:
    right
    an abstract idea of that which is due to a person or governmental body by law or tradition or nature
  10. noun
    a body of legislators that serve in behalf of some constituency
    “a Congressional vacancy occurred in the representation from California”
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    type of:
    body
    a group of persons associated by some common tie or occupation and regarded as an entity
Pronunciation
US

/rɛprɪzɛnˈteɪʃɪn/
UK

/rɛprəzɛnˈteɪʃən/
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘representation'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family

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American Naturalization Test, List 3

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