rep·re·sent 
/ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnt/ verb
rep·re·sents; rep·re·sent·ed; rep·re·sent·ing /ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnt/ verb 1 [+ obj] a : to act or speak officially for (someone or something)
▪ He represented his company at the meeting. ▪ She hired an agent to represent her in the contract negotiations.
b : to have a government position in which you speak or act for (a particular group, state, etc.)
▪ Senator Smith represents the state of Connecticut.
c : to speak or act for (someone or something) in a court of law
▪ He represented himself at the trial. [=he spoke for himself at the trial and did not have a lawyer] ▪ The company is represented by a local law firm. 2 [+ obj] a : to be part of a sports event or other competition for (a particular country, city, school, etc.)
▪ She represented the United States in figure skating at the Olympics.
b be represented — used to say that people from a particular place or group are present at an event, meeting, etc. ▪ The town was well represented at the meeting. [=there were many people from the town at the meeting] 3 not used in progressive tenses [linking verb] : to form or be something
▪ The money he makes from his investments represents [=constitutes] over half his income. ▪ The court's decision represents a victory for small businesses. ▪ The new prices represent a substantial increase over last year's prices. 4 [+ obj] : to be an example of (someone or something)
▪ He represents everything I dislike about politics/politicians. ▪ They have a collection of animals representing more than 50 species. 5 [+ obj] : to be a sign or symbol of (someone or something)
▪ The flag represents our country. ▪ Letters represent sounds. ▪ High and low temperatures are represented by colored lines on the graph. ▪ She is beginning to question the company and everything it represents. [=stands for] 6 [+ obj] : to show (someone or something) in a picture, painting, photograph, etc.
▪ This painting represents [=portrays, depicts] Queen Elizabeth. 7 [+ obj] : to describe (someone or something) in a particular way
▪ The politician was angry with the newspaper for representing [=portraying] his party negatively. — often used to suggest that a description is false ▪ He represented himself as poor, but I saw him driving an expensive new car.
▪ He represented his company at the meeting. ▪ She hired an agent to represent her in the contract negotiations.
b : to have a government position in which you speak or act for (a particular group, state, etc.)
▪ Senator Smith represents the state of Connecticut.
c : to speak or act for (someone or something) in a court of law
▪ He represented himself at the trial. [=he spoke for himself at the trial and did not have a lawyer] ▪ The company is represented by a local law firm.
▪ She represented the United States in figure skating at the Olympics.
b be represented — used to say that people from a particular place or group are present at an event, meeting, etc. ▪ The town was well represented at the meeting. [=there were many people from the town at the meeting]
▪ The money he makes from his investments represents [=constitutes] over half his income. ▪ The court's decision represents a victory for small businesses. ▪ The new prices represent a substantial increase over last year's prices.
▪ He represents everything I dislike about politics/politicians. ▪ They have a collection of animals representing more than 50 species.
▪ The flag represents our country. ▪ Letters represent sounds. ▪ High and low temperatures are represented by colored lines on the graph. ▪ She is beginning to question the company and everything it represents. [=stands for]
▪ This painting represents [=portrays, depicts] Queen Elizabeth.
▪ The politician was angry with the newspaper for representing [=portraying] his party negatively. — often used to suggest that a description is false ▪ He represented himself as poor, but I saw him driving an expensive new car.
