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A metonymy is a form of figurative language where a word is replaced by something that implies or is very close to the original meaning. There is an association between the implied phrase and what is actually said.

1. For example referring to businessmen as ‘suits’. This is in reference to the clothing they typically wear. ‘The train was full of suits this morning.’

2. Another example is referring to the royal family or the monarchy as the crown. ‘We swear loyalty to the crown.’ This means the speaker pledges allegiance to the monarch not a physical crown. 

3. Referring to the financial industry as ‘Wall Street’. Or the American government as ‘The White House’. In the sentence ‘The White House will make an announcement today’ we can infer this means the president of the US. 

4. Referring to the news media, journalists or reporters as ‘the press’. For example ‘the event was overcrowded because of all the press.’ Or ‘the press covered that incident all day.’

5. An example in a sentence: ‘we need new blood in this organisation.’ Here new blood is used in place of saying new people with fresh ideas. 

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What are 5 examples of metonymy and how are they used in a sentence?

Durham University

Robert Smyth

Annotated copy of the poem 'Sonnet 43' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning from GCSE poetry anthology.

Annotated poem: Sonnet 43 by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Annotated copy of the poem 'The Manhunt' by Simon Armitage from GCSE poetry anthology.

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