Synecdoche - Meaning, Definition and Examples

The English language is interesting in many ways. Learning English grammar and vocabulary and exploring the ways to make your language rich and polished can be a very fulfilling process. The figures of speech are among the most interesting grammar topics that you can try learning. Synecdoche is one of the figures of speech that we make use of in our daily lives. Learn the meaning and definition of synecdoche and how to use it in sentences. Furthermore, check out the examples for a much better understanding of the rhetorical device.

Table of Contents

What Is Synecdoche? – Meaning and Definition

Synecdoche is a rhetorical device which makes use of a term that refers to a part of something to substitute for the whole thing. According to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, the term ‘synecdoche’ is defined as “a word or phrase in which a part of something is used to represent a whole, or a whole is used to represent a part of something”, and according to the Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms, ‘synecdoche’ is defined as “a figure of speech by which a more comprehensive term is used for a less comprehensive or vice versa, as whole for part or part for whole”.

Synecdoche, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is defined as “a figure of speech by which a part is put for the whole (such as fifty sail for fifty ships), the whole for a part (such as society for high society), the species for the genus (such as cutthroat for assassin), the genus for the species (such as a creature for a man), or the name of the material for the thing made (such as boards for stage)”, and the Collins Dictionary defines synecdoche as “a figure of speech in which a part is used for a whole, an individual for a class, a material for a thing, or the reverse of any of these”.

How Does Synecdoche Differ from Metonymy?

There is a high chance that you might get confused with synecdoche and metonymy as both have similar functions. Go through the following table to find out what makes synecdoche and metonymy different from each other.

Synecdoche

Metonymy
  • A figure of speech in which a part of something is used to refer to the whole thing.
  • A figure of speech in which a term (an object or an idea) is substituted by another term that is closely related to it.
  • For example:
    • We are planning to hire some more hands.

Here, the word ‘hands’ refers to people/employees(in this context).
  • For example:
    • It would be easier if you could give a hand.

Here, the word ‘hand’ is substituted to mean help.

Examples of Synecdoche

Given below are examples of synecdoche from literature, movies and TV series for your reference. Check them out and have fun learning.

Examples of Synecdoche in Literature

  • “I know the voices dying with a dying fall

Beneath the music from a farther room” (‘The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock’ by T. S. Eliot)

Here, the word ‘voices’ refers to people. Voice is just one of the elements that is a characteristic of being a human.

  • “There will be time, there will be time

To prepare a face to meet the faces that you meet;

There will be time to murder and create,

And time for all the works and days of hands

That lift and drop a question on your plate;” (‘The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock’ by T. S. Eliot)

In this example, the words ‘faces’ and ‘hands’ are just parts of the body but used here to refer to people.

  • “‘Tis given out that, sleeping in my orchard,

A serpent stung me; so the whole ear of Denmark

Is by a forged process of my death

Rankly abused. ” (‘Hamlet’ by William Shakespeare)

In the above example, ‘ear’ is used to refer to all the people of Denmark.

  • “They survive, stamped upon these lifeless things, by the hand which made them.” (‘Ozymandias’ by Percy Bysshe Shelley)

Here, in this sentence, the word ‘hand’ is just a part of the sculptor who made those statues and therefore, is an example of synecdoche.

  • “Their eyes met as she sat in front of him paler than anyone in the huge ocean of faces before them.” (‘The lady or The Tiger’ by Frank R Stockton)

‘Faces’ here is a term used to refer to a lot of people and is an example of synecdoche. This is because ‘faces’ just seem to be a part of the body but used here to refer to the whole idea.

Examples of Synecdoche from Movies and Songs

  • “I expect each and every one of you to put your best foot forward” (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire)
  • “All hands on deck” (Peter Pan)
  • “I don’t need no shoulder, I’m gonna be a soldier” (‘Louder’ by Charice)

Frequently Asked Questions on Synecdoche

Q1

What is the meaning of synecdoche?

Synecdoche is a rhetorical device which makes use of a term that refers to a part of something to substitute for the whole thing.

Q2

What is the definition of synecdoche?

The Collins Dictionary defines synecdoche as “a figure of speech in which a part is used for a whole, an individual for a class, a material for a thing, or the
reverse of any of these”. According to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, the term ‘synecdoche’ is defined as “a word or phrase in which a part of something is used to represent a whole, or a whole is used to represent a part of something”, and according to the Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms, ‘synecdoche’ is defined as “a figure of speech by which a more comprehensive term is used for a less comprehensive or vice versa, as whole for part or part for whole”.

Q3

Give some examples of synecdoche.

Here are a few examples of synecdoche for your reference.

    • “Their eyes met as she sat in front of him paler than anyone in the huge ocean of faces before them.” (‘The lady or The Tiger’ by Frank R. Stockton)
    • “‘Tis given out that, sleeping in my orchard,

A serpent stung me; so the whole ear of Denmark

Is by a forged process of my death

Rankly abused. ” (‘Hamlet’ by William Shakespeare)

    • “I know the voices dying with a dying fall

Beneath the music from a farther room” (‘The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock’ by T S Eliot)

  • “I don’t need no shoulder, I’m gonna be a soldier” (‘Louder’ by Charice)