depiction

noun

de·​pic·​tion di-ˈpik-shən 

dē-

plural depictions

: a representation in words or images of someone or something

The book is fascinating in its depiction of the country's early history.

The first part of the book … is a depiction of the nearly lost world of a North American hunter-gatherer community.

—Timothy Egan

The late Vermont artist Stephen Huneck made works that are instantly recognizable—bright, accessible, folky depictions of dogs enjoying themselves.

—James Heflin

By comparison with the depiction of domesticity in such 1950s staples as The Donna Reed Show and Ozzie and Harriet, the portrait of family life on The Dick Van Dyke Show, the emblematic sitcom of the early 1960s, seemed staggering in its sheer smartness and casual elegance.

—Bruce Bawer

Synonyms

• definition
• delineation
• description
• picture
• portrait
• portraiture
• portrayal
• rendering
• sketch
• vignette

Examples of depiction in a Sentence

the set piece of the novel is a depiction of the battle that makes readers feel like they were there

Recent Examples on the Web

The first time around, the series was hailed as a brutal critique of economic exploitation and capitalist society thanks to its depiction of the contestants’ backstories, as well as its focus on how the economically downtrodden are treated by others regardless of the reason for their circumstances. —Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024

Over the years, its hilariously relatable depiction of Yuletide chaos has made Christmas Vacation a beloved holiday staple. —John Russell, People.com, 23 Dec. 2024

Frank's depiction of Superman, inspired by Christopher Reeve, adds a nostalgic touch, while Johns' accessible storytelling makes this series enjoyable for any comic book fan. —Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024

Snyder's dour depiction of Superman sparked mixed reactions among critics and fans, and subsequent DC movies generally struggled to compete with Marvel at the box office. —Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1688, in the meaning defined above