synecdoche
noun/sɪˈnɛkdəki/
Frequency rank: #19,724 most common English word
Meaning
A figure of speech in which a part is used to represent the whole, or the whole to represent a part.
Example sentence
The teacher explained that using 'wheels' to mean a car is an example of synecdoche.
Synonyms & related words
Practice this word in the quiz
More words in ranks 19,701–19,800
- clerestoryA high section of wall with windows that admits light into the central part of a building.
- floodgatea gate used to control the flow of water; often used figuratively to mean something that, when opened, releases a large amount of something previously held back.
- instantiationThe process of creating a specific instance or concrete example of something, especially an object from a class in programming.
- novationThe substitution of a new legal obligation for an existing one, with the consent of all parties involved.
- stamenThe pollen-producing male reproductive organ of a flower.
- achromaticHaving no color; consisting of black, white, and grey only.
- defibrillationThe application of an electric shock to the heart to stop abnormal beating and allow normal rhythm to resume.
- flowerpota container, usually made of clay or plastic, used for growing plants.
- gamecocka rooster bred and trained for cockfighting.
- gametea mature reproductive cell (such as a sperm or egg) that can unite with another to form a new individual.