What is a metonym?
A metonym is a word, name, or expression used as a substitute for something else with which it is closely associated. For example, Washington is a metonym for the federal government of the United States. I’ve included a few metonyms below for you. For more, see the Wikipedia sites: metonyms and metonymy.
| Word or phrase | Original/literal use | Metonymic use |
| brass | A metal alloy (used for or in the manufacture of buttons, insignia and (traditionally) a family of musical instruments) | Military officers |
| china | The country China | Chinese porcelain or other types of ceramic |
| city hall | A city’s chief administrative building | Local government or, more pejoratively, government in general
Most common use is in the adage "You can’t fight city hall." |
| crown/Crown | A type of monarchical headwear | Monarchy, especially the British monarchy (as "The Crown") |
| eyes and ears | Sensory organs, used for visual and auditory perception | A spy, someone who watches observes and reports information back to another party, perhaps a partner but typically a superior |
| gun | A firearm | An assassin, mercenary or soldier (as in "hired gun") |
| pink slip | A discharge notice (historically, a slip of paper in an employee’s pay envelope) | A layoff or termination of employment |
| red tape | Tape that is colored red | An overly bureaucratic process |
| suits | Business attire (plural) | Business executives and lawyers |
| tongue | Oral muscle | A language or dialect |
| 10 Downing Street ("Number 10") |
The official residence of the British Prime Minister | The British Prime Minister and his or her staff |
| Broadway | A street in Manhattan, New York City | Broadway theatre; sometimes, although less accurately, commercial American theatre in general |
Kara Church
Technical Editor, Advisory
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