self-representation

noun

self-rep·​re·​sen·​ta·​tion ˌself-ˌre-pri-ˌzen-ˈtā-shən 

-zən-

plural self-representations

: the act or an instance of representing oneself: such as

a

: an artistic likeness or image of oneself

Social media self-representations can be a site for creativity, showcasing photography, clothing ensembles, hair and make-up, making memes and so on.

—Kate Douglas

The exhibit organizes about 50 paintings into four thematic sections exploring black histories, experiences and self-representations.

—Pamela Reynold

b

: the act or action of serving as one's own lawyer in a legal matter especially in court

a person's right to self-representation

Experts say financial considerations are at the heart of most self-representations, since legal aid frequently will not cover costs when someone is being tried for a minor offence and can't always be counted on when more serious charges are at play.

—Michelle McQuigge

Note: In legal terminology, a person who engages in self-representation can be said to be acting pro se or in propria persona.

Examples of self-representation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Yet at a vital moment of national self-representation, the design’s self-effacing dimensions stirred up far-reaching questions about scale, politics, and monumentality. —Ara H. Merjian, ARTnews.com, 16 Apr. 2026

The brain constantly updates this self-representation in response to what a person sees, feels and hears. —Utkarsh Gupta, Scientific American, 15 Apr. 2026

The vast majority of those who turn to self-representation do so purely out of need; that a new technology could serve as a democratizing force within the legal world, legal access advocates urge, is essential terrain to explore. —Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 18 Mar. 2026

Routh's self-representation has already created issues, according to Judge Cannon, who has sharply rebuked some of his tactics in court filings. —Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2025

Brand’s self-representation has caused headaches in the courtroom leading up to trial and on Friday quickly set the stage for a potentially strange trial, scheduled to last around three weeks. —Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025

While not every recruiter may be ready to review job applications with a headset on, the desire for unique forms of self-expression and self-representation is undeniable. —Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025

As a description of the self-representation of the French and American Revolutions, this might be true. —Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025

The alternative is self-representation, but navigating the legal system without training is overwhelming. —Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1696, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-representation

• acclimatisation
• acclimatization
• acidification
• actualization
• annualization
• autocorrelation
• autoregulation
• beatification
• beneficiation
• biodegradation
• biotransformation
• bureaucratization