the substitution of a word referring to an attribute for the thing that is meant, as for example the use of the crown to refer to a monarch
Compare synecdoche
Derived forms
metonymical (ˌmɛtəˈnɪmɪkəl) or metonymic (ˌmetoˈnymic)
adjective
metonymically (ˌmetoˈnymically)
adverb
Word origin
C16: from Late Latin from Greek: a changing of name, from meta- (indicating change) + onoma name
metonymy in American English
(məˈtɑnəmi)
nounWord forms: pluralmeˈtonymies
a figure of speech in which the name of one thing is used in place of that of another associatedwith or suggested by it (Ex.: “the White House” for “the President”)
Derived forms
metonymic (ˌmetoˈnymic) (ˌmɛtəˈnɪmɪk)
adjective or ˌmetoˈnymical
Word origin
LL metonymia < Gr metōnymia < meta, other (see meta-) + onoma, onyma, name