Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day: "Metonymy"

Date: November 22, 2025
Host: Peter Sokolowski, Merriam-Webster

Episode Overview

This episode introduces and explores the word "metonymy." Host Peter Sokolowski explains its definition, usage, etymology, and how it appears in literature and journalism. The episode also distinguishes metonymy from similar rhetorical devices, with clear examples to illustrate each concept.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What Is "Metonymy"?

• Definition:
  • "Metonymy is a noun. It refers to a figure of speech in which a word that is associated with something is used to refer to the thing itself, as when crown is used to mean king or queen." (00:27)
• Spelling:
  • M-E-T-O-N-Y-M-Y

2. Examples in Use

• Brigadier Example:
  • "The stick used to command the crowd is called a brigadier. ... According to organizers, it was a term used so often to refer to a stick wielding stage manager that through the magic of metonymy, the stick itself is now referred to as a brigadier." (00:48)
• Shakespeare Reference:
  • "'When Mark Antony asks the people of Rome to lend him their ears in Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, he is asking them to listen to him, not to literally allow him to borrow their ears. It's a classic example of the rhetorical device known as metonymy.'" (01:18)
• Journalistic Use:
  • "Metonymy often appears in news articles and headlines, as when journalists use the term crown to refer to a king or queen." (01:38)
• Author Example:
  • "Another common example is the use of an author's name to refer to works written by that person, as in 'they are studying Austen.'" (01:48)

3. Etymology

• "Which comes to English via Latin from the Greek word of the same meaning. Metonymia, the use of a word that is associated with something to refer to the thing itself." (01:29)

4. Related Literary Term: Synecdoche

• Definition and Examples:
  • "Metonymy is closely related to synecdoche, which is a figure of speech in which the word for a part of something is used to refer to the thing itself, as in 'need some extra hands for the project?' Or less commonly, the word for a thing itself used to refer to part of that thing, as when 'society' denotes 'high society.'" (01:57)

5. Host Sign-off

• "With your word of the day, I'm Peter Sokolowski." (02:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Definition:

  • "Metonymy is a noun. It refers to a figure of speech in which a word that is associated with something is used to refer to the thing itself, as when crown is used to mean king or queen." — Peter Sokolowski, 00:27

• On Shakespeare's Use:

  • "'When Mark Antony asks the people of Rome to lend him their ears in Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, he is asking them to listen to him, not to literally allow him to borrow their ears.'" — Peter Sokolowski, 01:18

• On the Relationship Between Metonymy and Synecdoche:

  • "Metonymy is closely related to synecdoche, which is a figure of speech in which the word for a part of something is used to refer to the thing itself, as in need some extra hands for the project." — Peter Sokolowski, 01:57

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:27 — Definition and introduction to metonymy
• 00:48 — Example: "Brigadier" and its usage
• 01:18 — Shakespeare’s "lend me your ears" example
• 01:29 — Etymology of "metonymy"
• 01:38 — Journalistic and literary uses
• 01:48 — Author-name-as-metonymy example
• 01:57 — Explanation of synecdoche and its relationship to metonymy
• 02:25 — Host sign-off

Tone & Style

The tone is educational, succinct, and approachable, in the warm, informative style Merriam-Webster's daily podcast is known for, with engaging examples and clear distinctions between linguistic concepts.

This summary covers all essential elements of the episode, skips advertisements and non-content sections, and provides timestamps and direct quotes where impactful.