representative

The definition of a representative is a person or thing that is an example or someone who is authorized to speak for someone else.

(noun)

An example of representative is the picture of the olive on the can that shows the size of the olives in the can.
An example of representative is a student sent from each grade to be part of Student Council.
An example of representative is the person send to Congress to represent a specific group of U.S. residents.

Representative is defined as standing or acting for other(s).

(adjective)

An example of representative is a person who fills in for a sick manager.

See representative in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

representing or serving to represent; specif.,
1. picturing; portraying; reproducing
2. acting or speaking, esp. by due authority, in the place or on behalf of another or others; esp., serving as a delegate in a legislative assembly
composed of persons duly authorized, as by election, to act and speak for others: a representative assembly
of, characterized by, or based on representation of the people by elected delegates: representative government
being an example or type of a certain class or kind of thing; typical: a building representative of modern architecture

Origin: ME < MFr or ML: MFr représentatif < ML repraesentativus

noun

a person or thing enough like the others in its class or kind to serve as an example or type
a person duly authorized to act or speak for another or others; specif.,
1. a member of a legislative assembly
2. a salesman or agent for a business firm
☆ a member of the lower house of Congress (House of Representatives) or of a State legislature

Related Forms:

See representative in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

One that serves as an example or type for others of the same classification.
One that serves as a delegate or agent for another.
a. A member of a governmental body, usually legislative, chosen by popular vote.
b. A member of the U.S. House of Representatives or of the lower house of a state legislature.

adjective