Appendix:English metonyms

A metonym is a word that names an object from a single characteristic of it or of a closely related object.

Examples:

• The White House released its official report today. — “the White House” for “the presidential administration”
• The Crown has enacted a new social security policy. — “the Crown” for “the government of the United Kingdom”
• A crowd of fifty heads — where “head” stands for person
• Put it on the plastic — material (plastic) for object (credit card)

For a list of standard English metonyms, see Category:English metonyms.