Examples of Synecdoche

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A synecdoche (pronounced si-nek-duh-kee) is a member of the figurative language family. It’s an
odd word for what is simply using part of a whole to represent the whole. If you said “check out my
new wheels,” “wheels” is an example of synecdoche, used to refer to a “car.” A part of a car, in this
example, represents the whole of the car.
Figurative language comes in many shapes and sizes. As well as synecdoche, you
have metaphors, similes, personification, and more. Each element transforms everyday language into
something more interesting or thought-provoking. Because it colors ordinary rhetoric, synecdoche is
a favorite in poetry and music lyrics.
Before we take a walk down this multi-colored lane, let’s clear the air regarding the confusion
between synecdoche and metonymy.

Synecdoche vs. Metonymy

It’s easy to confuse synecdoche and metonymy because they both use a word or phrase to represent
something else (some even consider synecdoche a type of metonymy). While a synecdoche takes an
element of a word or phrase and uses it to refer to the whole, a metonymy replaces the word or
phrase entirely with a related concept. In truth, some synecdoche are a form of metonymy.
Let’s use our example relating to the car again. As we saw, “wheels” was a synecdoche for “car.”
Another common word for car is “ride.” For example, “Let’s take my new ride out for a spin.” Notice
how car has been entirely replaced by another word. You ride in a car, so it’s a related word, but it’s
not an element of a car.

Forms of Synecdoche
There are several different forms of synecdoche. The important thing to keep in mind is that you’re
always going to be dealing with parts and wholes. To make sure you’re fully aware of each angle,
let’s examine the most popular varieties of synecdoche.

A Part to Represent a Whole

A synecdoche may use part of something to represent the whole. It’s actually very common in the
English language for part of something reference the whole.
For example:
 The word “sails” is often used to refer to a whole ship.
 The phrase "hired hands" can be used to refer to workers.
 The word "head" can refer to counting cattle or people.
 The word “bread” can be used to represent food in general or money (e.g. he is the breadwinner;
music is my bread and butter).
 The word "wheels" refers to a vehicle.
 The word “boots” refers to soldiers.
 The word “bubbly” refers to champagne.
 The word “glasses” refer to eyewear.
A Whole to Represent a Part
In the same way a synecdoche can use a part to represent a whole, it can also use the whole to
represent a part. In this respect, there is some blurring of the lines between synecdoche and
metonymy.
For example:
 If “the world” is not treating you well, that would not be the entire world but just a part of it that
you've encountered.
 The word "society" is often used to refer to a specific sector of society.
 The word "police" can be used to represent one or several officers.
 "Pentagon" often refers to a few decision-making generals.
 If someone says “the restaurant” was lovely, they either mean the wait staff, the food, or the
environment.
 When people say “The New York Times” printed a new story, they mean one specific journalist
wrote a new piece.
A Specific Class to Represent a Whole
A synecdoche may use a word or phrase as a class to express more or less than the word or phrase
actually means.
For example:
 Some people refer to any variety of cola as “Coke”.
 Sometimes we refer to the United States as “America” when the “Americas” is actually made up
of a few different countries.
 All facial tissues are often referred to by the brand name “Kleenex."
 "Milk" is commonly used to refer to cow's milk when there are many sources of milk i.e. goats’
milk.
 Asking someone to put their “John Hancock” on a document refers to anyone putting their
signature there.
 All adhesive bandages are commonly referred to as “Band-Aids”.
 Any bit of polystyrene is referred to as “Styrofoam”.
Material Representing an Object
The material used to make something - or what was used in the past - is often used to represent the
entire object.
For example:
 Everyday cutlery may be referred to as “silverware,” even though they’re not actually made of
silver.
 The word “plastic” is commonly used to refer to credit cards.
 The word "ivories" is often used to denote piano keys, even though the keys are no longer made
of ivory.
 When a golfer plays with their "woods" they are referring to their longest golf clubs.
 Bullets are sometimes referred to as "lead".
 To go for a walk in the “woods” means to go for a walk in a forest-like setting.
 Good ol’ fashioned newspapers are referred to as “papers.”

The Whole Truth

In truth, synecdoche and metonymy have a lot in common and even grammarians can’t always agree
on whether an expression is synecdoche or metonymy. Remember that synecdoche refers to parts
and wholes of a thing, metonymy to a related term. The intent of synecdoche is to deviate from a
literal term in order to spice up everyday language. All types of figurative language stand to create a
bright, new image in the minds of readers.
Take this quote from Toni Morrison’s Beloved:
“This is flesh I’m talking about here. Flesh that needs to be loved. Feet that need to rest and to dance;
backs that need support; shoulders that need arms, strong arms I’m telling you.”
By referring to the individual parts of the the body as having their own needs, she adds more value to
the whole.
So, the next time you want to write about the sun shining on the ocean, think about the individual
parts, maybe the bright rays catching the waves, and you’ll soon enter into the ranks of synecdoche
superiority.