representation
representation — noun
1. the activity of speaking, making decisions, or taking official action on behalf
the activity of speaking, making decisions, or taking official action on behalf of another person or group, especially in legal, political, or professional contexts
Hassan hired a lawyer to handle his representation during the contract dispute.
uncountable: representation during [event]
The union offers free legal representation for all its members in salary negotiations.
collocation: legal representation
Without adequate representation, the small business could not defend itself in court.
Joaquín was chosen to lead the team's representation at the international trade fair.
representation at [event]
Maeve's representation of the environmental group at the hearing changed several officials' views.
representation of [group] at [event]
- legal representation
- political representation
- diplomatic representation
- union representation
- provide representation
- agency
more technical, often about the legal right to act for another
- delegation
focuses on sending someone on one's behalf, typically a group
- self-representation
acting on one's own behalf without a representative
Usage Note
Uncountable. Most common with 'legal', 'political', 'diplomatic', or 'union' as modifiers. The person who provides representation is a 'representative', not 'representation'.
Common Mistakes
2. an image or understanding of someone or something created through a work of art,
an image or understanding of someone or something created through a work of art, literature, film, or other media, reflecting a particular viewpoint or interpretation
The documentary gave a balanced representation of daily life in the mountain villages.
adjective + representation of [topic]
Anjali thought the novel's representation of teenage friendship felt completely genuine.
Many viewers criticised the film for its one-sided representation of the conflict.
Élise praised the painter for her warm and honest representation of rural women at work.
possessive + representation of [people] at [activity]
- balanced representation
- fair representation
- negative representation
- positive representation
- one-sided representation
Usage Note
Countable when referring to a specific portrayal ('a negative representation of teachers'); uncountable when speaking generally ('balanced representation is important'). Compare with sense 8 (WAY OF DESCRIBING) in the b2 chunk, which focuses on the act or manner of presenting rather than the resulting image.
Common Mistakes
3. a visible object, drawing, diagram, or symbol that stands for or shows something
a visible object, drawing, diagram, or symbol that stands for or shows something else
The chart is a visual representation of how the school spends its budget each year.
visual representation of [data]
Mert built a small wooden representation of the old temple for his geography project.
This map uses coloured dots as a representation of each earthquake's strength.
as a representation of [measurement]
Mayumi drew a simple representation of the water cycle to explain it to younger students.
- visual representation
- graphic representation
- symbolic representation
- physical representation
- diagrammatic representation
Usage Note
Countable. Often modified by adjectives describing the form: 'visual', 'graphic', 'physical', 'symbolic', 'diagrammatic'.
Common Mistakes
4. the inclusion of people from a wide range of backgrounds—such as different races
the inclusion of people from a wide range of backgrounds—such as different races, genders, cultures, or abilities—in a particular setting such as films, politics, advertising, or the workplace
The television network promised to improve representation of disabled actors in its shows.
improve representation of [group] in [setting]
Michael's school started a programme to increase the representation of girls in science classes.
increase representation of [group] in [setting]
Good representation in advertising means showing families from many different backgrounds.
Indra wrote a report on gender representation in the technology industry.
collocation: gender representation
- gender representation
- racial representation
- ethnic representation
- minority representation
- equal representation
- underrepresentation
the state of having too few members of a group present
- exclusion
keeping certain groups out entirely
Usage Note
Uncountable. Common in discussions about media, education, and workplace diversity. Often paired with 'gender', 'racial', 'ethnic', 'cultural', or 'minority'. Compare with sense 9 (LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM) in the b2 chunk, which refers to the formal political system of electing representatives.
Common Mistakes
5. a written or spoken statement submitted to a person or group in authority, usual
a written or spoken statement submitted to a person or group in authority, usually to complain about something, make a request, or express an opinion
Local residents sent formal representations to the mayor about the dangerous intersection.
countable, often plural: send representations to [authority]
Michael prepared a written representation to argue against the new parking fees for staff.
Staff representations to the director led to better safety equipment in the factory.
The charity made formal representations to the ministry asking for more funding for schools.
make representations to [authority] asking for [demand]
- make representations
- formal representations
- written representations
- oral representations
- submission
more general — any document formally presented for consideration
- petition
a written request signed by many people
- remonstrance
a forcefully worded protest, quite formal and rare
Usage Note
Almost always used in the plural 'representations' when referring to formal statements of complaint or opinion. Typically followed by 'to' (the authority) and 'about/regarding' (the issue). The singular 'representation' is possible but rare.
Common Mistakes
6. a staged presentation of a dramatic work put on for an audience
a staged presentation of a dramatic work put on for an audience
The drama club gave a lively representation of the classic fairy tale at the festival.
representation of [play] by [group] for [event]
Hassan's theatre group is known for its dramatic representations of historical events.
collocation: dramatic representation
The annual Christmas representation at the town hall always draws a full audience.
Maeve's first stage representation was a small role in a children's play about jungle animals.
- dramatic representation
- theatrical representation
- stage representation
- performance
the common modern term; neutral and widely used
- production
focuses on the staging and preparation of a play
- rehearsal
practice for a performance, not the actual show for an audience
Usage Note
Countable. A formal or slightly old-fashioned term for a theatrical performance. In everyday modern English, 'performance' or 'production' is much more common.
7. the group of people chosen to speak and make decisions for a larger community, s
the group of people chosen to speak and make decisions for a larger community, such as voters in a particular area.
The city council's representation includes three members from each district.
representation + includes + members from district
Sofia was elected to the student representation that meets with the principal monthly.
Each neighborhood sends its own representation to the community board.
sends + representation + to [body]
The union's representation at the factory voted to accept the new contract.
Without fair representation in parliament, rural areas struggle to get funding.
- send representation
- fair representation
- union representation
- student representation
- delegation
often refers to a group sent to a specific event or meeting, while representation implies an ongoing official role
- deputation
more formal and usually temporary; less common in everyday speech
- contingent
focuses on the group as part of a larger whole, less emphasis on the act of representing
Usage Note
Often used with a possessive noun or adjective (the city's representation, union representation) to identify which community the representatives belong to.
Common Mistakes
8. the act of showing or describing someone or something from a specific angle, oft
the act of showing or describing someone or something from a specific angle, often to shape how others see or understand it.
The media's representation of the accident focused only on the damage.
representation + of + [noun] focusing on aspect
Nikhil gave a detailed representation of the sales figures during the meeting.
Salma's representation of the budget shortfall helped the logistics team spot the overspending in minutes.
possession + representation of [topic] + helped + [team] + action
Selim's representation of local customs painted a more positive picture.
representation + of [topic] + verb creating impression
The company's representation of its profits was questioned by auditors.
- representation of
- accurate representation
- detailed representation
- false representation
Usage Note
Commonly followed by of + noun phrase that names the person, event, or topic being presented in a particular light.
Common Mistakes
9. the principle or arrangement by which people elect officials to speak and act fo
the principle or arrangement by which people elect officials to speak and act for them in a government or decision-making body.
The new constitution guarantees fair representation for all ethnic groups.
guarantees + representation + for [group]
Citizens demanded proper representation in the government during the protest.
Without political representation, the island's residents have no say in national laws.
without + representation, [consequence]
The principle of representation allows voters to choose who speaks for them.
Kenji argued that the system of representation needs to include younger voices.
- political representation
- fair representation
- proportional representation
- system of representation
- electoral system
focuses on the voting process itself, while representation emphasizes having someone speak on your behalf
- democratic representation
specifies the type of system; more formal and narrower in scope
- political voice
emphasizes the outcome (being heard) rather than the mechanism
Usage Note
Often modified by adjectives like political, fair, proportional, or equal to describe the type or quality of the representative system.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- representverbB2
- representativenounB2
- representativeadjectiveB2
- representationaladjectiveC1
- misrepresentverbC1
- misrepresentationnounC1
- underrepresentedadjectiveC1
- representativelyadverbC2
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
Agency and representation both describe acting on another's behalf, but agency is a legal term for the formal right or authority to bind someone in agreements, while representation is the broader activity of speaking or deciding for someone. Delegation emphasises sending a person (or team) to a specific event or task — a delegation is temporary and mission-focused, whereas representation often implies an ongoing official role. Proxy is narrower still, used almost exclusively for voting by substitute (e.g. voting by proxy at a shareholder meeting). Deputation is the most formal and least common; it suggests a small group sent to deliver a message or request to an authority. In everyday contexts: 'The union provides legal representation for members' (ongoing official role); 'The company sent a delegation to the trade fair' (one-time event).
Common collocations
Nouns
- legal representation
- political representation
- visual representation
- accurate representation
- fair representation
- symbolic representation
- direct representation
- proportional representation
- written representation
- equal representation
Phrases
- system of representation
- right to representation
- form of representation
- lack of representation
- need for representation
Prepositions
- representation of
- representation in
- representation for
- representation to
- representation by
Etymology
Representation entered English in the 14th century through Old French (representacion), from Latin repraesentatio — a noun formed from repraesentare 'to present again, show, or bring before the mind'. The root elements are re- ('again') and praesentare ('to present, show'), from praesens ('present, in person'). The political sense of serving as a substitute for others emerged in the 15th century, while the artistic meaning of depicting or portraying became common in the 17th century.