WordWeb Online

1. Take the place of or be parallel or equivalent to
   "Because of the sound changes in the course of history, an 'h' in Greek represents an 's' in Latin";
   - stand for, correspond
    
2. Express indirectly by an image, form, or model; be a symbol
   "What does the Statue of Liberty represent?";
   - typify, symbolize, symbolise [Brit], stand for, symbol [archaic]
    
3. Be representative or typical for
   "This period is represented by Beethoven"
    
4. Be a delegate or spokesperson for; represent somebody's interest or be a proxy or substitute for, as of politicians and office holders representing their constituents, or of a tenant representing other tenants in a housing dispute
   "I represent the silent majority"
    
5. Serve as a means of expressing something
   "The flower represents a young girl"
    
6. Be typical of
   "This compositional style is represented by this fugue";
   - exemplify
    
7. Form or compose
   "This sum represents my entire income for a year";
   - constitute, make up, comprise, be
    
8. Be the defence counsel for someone in a trial
   "Ms. Smith will represent the defendant";
   - defend
    
9. (art) create an image or likeness of
   "The painter represented his wife as a young girl";
   - interpret
    
10. (performing arts) Perform a role or part
    "She wants to represent Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role";
    - act, play
     
11. (performing arts) perform (a play), especially on a stage
    "we are going to represent 'Othello'";
    - stage, present
     
12. Describe or present, usually with respect to a particular quality
    "He represented this book as an example of the Russian 19th century novel"
     
13. Point out or draw attention to in protest or remonstrance
    "our parents represented to us the need for more caution"
     
14. Tell or show, often with explanation and alternatives
    "We cannot represent this knowledge to our formal reason";
    - present, lay out
     
15. To establish a mapping (of mathematical elements or sets)
    - map

Derived forms: represents, representing, represented

See also: stand

Type of: be, commute, depict, describe, draw, embody, equal, express, give tongue to, intend, mean, permute, personify, point out, recreate, re-create, remonstrate, say, serve, state, tell, transpose, utter, verbalise [Brit], verbalize

Antonym: prosecute

Encyclopedia: Represent