<p><strong>Verb (used with object)</strong></p><ul><li>To serve to express, designate, stand for, or denote, as a word, symbol, or the like does; symbolize: In this painting the cat represents evil and the bird, good.</li><li>To express or designate by some term, character, symbol, or the like: to represent musical sounds by notes.</li><li>To stand or act in the place of, as a substitute, proxy, or agent does: He represents the company in Boston.</li><li>To speak and act for by delegated authority: to represent one's government in a foreign country.</li><li>To act for or in behalf of (a constituency, state, etc.) by deputed right in exercising a voice in legislation or government: He represents Chicago's third Congressional district.</li><li>To portray or depict; present the likeness of, as a picture does: The painting represents him as a man 22 years old.</li><li>To present or picture to the mind.</li><li>To present in words; set forth; describe; state.</li><li>To set forth or describe as having a particular character (usually followed by as, to be, etc.): The article represented the dictator as a benevolent despot.</li><li>To set forth clearly or earnestly with a view to influencing opinion or action or making protest.</li><li>To present, produce, or perform, as on a stage.</li><li>To impersonate, as in acting.</li><li>To serve as an example or specimen of; exemplify: a genus represented by two species.</li><li>To be the equivalent of; correspond to: The llama of the New World represents the camel of the Old World.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used without object)</strong></p><ul><li>To protest; make representations against.</li><li>Slang: to use or display a secret handshake, sign, gesture, etc., for purposes of identification: The gang members always represent when they see one another.</li></ul>