That which represents something else.
What is representation?
• The act of representing.
• The appearance(s) of a particular demographic group in a piece of media, particularly in regards to how such appearances are treated.
• The lawyers and staff who argue on behalf of another in court.
• The ability to elect a representative to speak on one's behalf in government; the role of this representative in government.
• An action of some algebraic structure (typically a group or algebra, particularly a Lie algebra) on a vector space, such that each element acts by a linear endomorphism.
• A figure, image or idea that substitutes reality.
• A theatrical performance.
• A statement; a presentation of opinion or position, or an utterance made to influence the opinions or actions of others
(Noun) An act of representing, i.e. presenting again.
Why representation matters
representation appears in U.S. legal practice across multiple practice areas. Knowing what it means — and when it applies — can determine the outcome of motions, filings, and negotiations. For non-lawyers, the value of looking up a precise definition is that legal terms often carry meanings that differ from everyday usage; relying on the common meaning can lead to costly missteps.
How representation works in practice
In practice, representation is invoked when parties, judges, or attorneys need to identify the legal status of an issue, the rights of those involved, or the procedural step required next. The definition shown above is sourced from Wiktionary , which is widely cited in U.S. legal practice. Because U.S. law is jurisdictionally layered — federal, state, and sometimes local — the precise application of the term can vary by court, so check the controlling authority for your specific case.