What figure of speech refers to something by using the name of something associated with it?

Metonymy is a figure of speech that involves referring to one thing by using the name of something closely associated with it. This association can be based on a variety of relationships, such as cause and effect, proximity, or a shared characteristic. For example, when someone refers to the "White House" to mean the U.S. president or the administration, they are using metonymy because the White House is closely linked to the actions and policies of the government, even though it is not what is being directly discussed.

In contrast, synecdoche refers specifically to using a part of something to represent the whole (like "all hands on deck," where "hands" stands for sailors). Personification attributes human characteristics to non-human entities, while hyperbole involves exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally. Thus, metonymy encompasses a broader range of associations and serves as a rhetorical device that enhances meaning through the use of related terms.