Metonymy (noun)

A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is used to refer to something else with which it is closely associated, such as using the word "crown" to refer to a king or using the word "hollywood" to refer to the American film industry.

Origin:

From the greek word metōnymia, meaning "a change of name".

Examples:

1. The use of the word "crown" to refer to a king is an example of metonymy.
2. The phrase "the White House said" is a metonymy, referring to the people working inside the White House rather than the building itself.
3. The phrase "the pen is mightier than the sword" is a metonymy, the pen refers to writing and the sword to military power.
4. In the phrase "the press", press is a metonymy for journalists and media outlets.
5. The phrase "the stage" is a metonymy for the theatrical profession.