What Is Metonymy? | Definition & Examples

Metonymy (pronounced meh-tah-nuh-mee) is a figure of speech in which a word or term is used to replace or represent another closely related word or term. For example, “the crown” is often used to describe the British monarchy, and “Hollywood” is often used to describe the American film industry.

Metonymy is used in all sorts of writing, from everyday speech to headlines and song lyrics. Writers use it to add layers of meaning to their words and be concise.

What is metonymy?

Metonymy is a rhetorical device in which a word or phrase is used as a substitute for another closely related or associated word or phrase. The word that replaces the initial concept is called a metonym.

Metonymy is used in numerous written and spoken contexts, sometimes without even realizing it. Saying “the Oval Office will address the nation tonight” uses “the Oval Office” in place of “the president.”  When we say “please give me a hand,” we’re using “hand” to say “assistance.”

Writers use metonymy to create vivid imagery or simplify sentences by using more concise wording without losing meaning. It can convey abstract concepts more tangibly and communicate emotion, mood, or tone.

The phrase “blood is thicker than water” illustrates metonymy by using the word “blood” to represent family ties and “water” to represent less important, non-familial ties. Replacing these words with “blood” and “water” packs an emotional punch that emphasizes loyalty and connection more strongly than simply saying, “Family is more important than non-family.”

Metonymy vs. synecdoche

Metonymy and synecdoche (pronounced suh-nek-duh-kee) are rhetorical devices that substitute one word or phrase for another. They are different, however.

While metonymy uses an associated word to replace a word, synecdoche uses a word that is a smaller part of the whole thing it’s describing (or vice versa). The distinction is that a metonym uses a close connection or association, while synecdoche uses a literal part of the thing (or vice versa).

For example, many people would understand “ride” or “wheels” as referring to a car in the context of the sentence, “I got a new ride/wheels.” In this example, “ride” uses metonymy because it is closely associated with a car, but “wheels” uses synecdoche because it is an actual part of the car.

Metonymy examples

The table below shows some common examples of synecdoche.