take the place of or be parallel or equivalent to
"Because of the sound changes in the course of history, an `h' in Greek stands for an `s' in Latin"
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"
form or compose
"This money is my only income"
"The stone wall was the backdrop for the performance"
"These constitute my entire belonging"
"The children made up the chorus"
"This sum represents my entire income for a year"
"These few men comprise his entire army"
describe or present, usually with respect to a particular quality
"He represented this book as an example of the Russian 19th century novel"
point out or draw attention to in protest or remonstrance
"our parents represented to us the need for more caution"
To present again or anew; to present by means of something standing in the place of; to exhibit the counterpart or image of; to typify.
"After his injury healed, he was ready to represent himself at the follow-up appointment next week."
To present again, for instance for medical attention.
In plain English: To represent means to stand for or show something else, like when an actor plays a character on stage.
"The logo represents our company's commitment to quality."
Usage: Use represent when you mean to stand as a symbol, substitute, or official delegate for someone else rather than simply describing an action like "act" or "perform." Avoid confusing it with synonyms that imply direct personal involvement unless emphasizing your role on behalf of another party.
The word entered English from the Old French représenter, which itself came from the Latin repraesentō. Originally meaning to bring something back into view or presence, it has retained this core sense of standing for or depicting someone or something else over time.