Representation: meaning, definitions and examples

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representation

 

[ ˌrɛprɪzɛnˈteɪʃən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in art

The action of speaking or acting on behalf of someone or something, especially in a court of law.

Synonyms

advocacy, counsel, defense.

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Word Description / Examples
representation

This is a duplicate; see the first entry for its context and examples.

  • Please refer to the first entry for context and examples
advocacy

Use when actively supporting or arguing for a cause, idea, or policy. It's often used in social, political, or legal contexts.

  • Her advocacy for environmental protection has inspired many people
  • He is known for his tireless advocacy on behalf of human rights
defense

Use when referring to protecting or arguing against accusations or questions, particularly in a legal context. This term can have a more confrontational or protective connotation.

  • The lawyer's defense was strong and convincing
  • He prepared his defense against the unfair allegations
counsel

Use when referring to giving or receiving advice, especially legal advice. This word is frequently used in formal settings.

  • He sought the counsel of a seasoned attorney
  • She gave me wise counsel during my difficult times

Examples of usage

  • He was charged with the representation of the defendant in the case.
  • The lawyer provided excellent representation for her client.
Context #2 | Noun

in politics

The action of speaking or acting on behalf of a person, organization, or idea in the political arena.

Synonyms

advocacy, delegation.

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Word Description / Examples
representation

As previously mentioned, it generally involves acting or speaking on someone's behalf. It can also refer to the depiction of someone or something in art, literature, or other mediums.

  • The lawyer provided effective representation for his client.
  • This sculpture is an abstract representation of human form.
advocacy

Refers to the act of supporting a cause or proposal, often in public or in policy-making arenas. It can have a positive connotation associated with passionate support.

  • Her advocacy for children's rights has brought significant changes to local laws.
  • The group engages in advocacy to promote environmental conservation.
delegation

Commonly used when referring to a group of people who are given a particular task or are sent to represent others, often in a professional or diplomatic context.

  • The delegation from Canada arrived to discuss trade agreements.
  • He managed the delegation of tasks among team members efficiently.

Examples of usage

  • The politician's representation of the interests of the minority groups was widely praised.
  • She was elected to office to provide representation for her constituents.
Context #3 | Noun

in mathematics

The action of depicting or describing something in a particular way, especially using a graph or diagram.

Synonyms

depiction, illustration, presentation.

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Word Description / Examples
representation

Used often in more formal settings to denote the act of presenting something in a particular way or the expression of an idea or theme.

  • The artist's work is a representation of modern society's challenges.
  • We want a fair representation of all community groups in the council.
depiction

Commonly used to describe the portrayal of a scene, character, or situation, especially in art, literature, or media. It often involves detailed and vivid presentation.

  • The movie's depiction of the war was both brutal and realistic.
  • Her book provides a stark depiction of life in the village.
illustration

Typically used when talking about a picture or diagram that explains or decorates a text. It can also mean an example that helps to explain or clarify something.

  • The textbook contains many illustrations to help students understand the concepts.
  • As an illustration of his point, he told a short story.
presentation

Often used in the context of showing, explaining, or displaying something to an audience, such as in meetings, seminars, or public speaking. It emphasizes the act of presenting information.

  • Her presentation on climate change was very informative.
  • He practiced his presentation multiple times to ensure it went smoothly.

Examples of usage

  • The representation of data through charts and graphs is essential for data analysis.
  • This theorem can be proved using a visual representation.

Translations

Translations of the word "representation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 representação

🇮🇳 प्रतिनिधित्व

🇩🇪 Darstellung

🇮🇩 representasi

🇺🇦 представлення

🇵🇱 reprezentacja

🇯🇵 表現 (ひょうげん)

🇫🇷 représentation

🇪🇸 representación

🇹🇷 temsil

🇰🇷 표현

🇸🇦 تمثيل

🇨🇿 reprezentace

🇸🇰 reprezentácia

🇨🇳 表示 (biǎoshì)

🇸🇮 predstavitev

🇮🇸 framsetning

🇰🇿 көрсету

🇬🇪 წარმოდგენა

🇦🇿 təmsil

🇲🇽 representación

Etymology

The word 'representation' has its origins in Latin, coming from the verb 'repraesentare' which means 'to bring before', 'to exhibit'. The term has been used in various contexts throughout history, including art, politics, and mathematics. In art, representation refers to the act of portraying or depicting something in a visual form. In politics, representation involves speaking or acting on behalf of a person, organization, or idea. In mathematics, representation is used to describe something in a particular way, often through graphs or diagrams. The concept of representation has been a central theme in human communication and understanding for centuries.

See also: misrepresent, represent, representable, representational, representationalism, representations, representative, representativeness, representatives, representing.

Word Frequency Rank

This word ranks #1,840, placing it within important intermediate vocabulary. Learning it will significantly improve your ability to express yourself in English.