onomatopoeia

[ on-uh-mat-uh-pee-uh, ‐mah-tuh‐ ]
/ ˌɒn əˌmæt əˈpi ə, ‐ˌmɑ tə‐ /

noun

the formation of a word, as cuckoo, meow, honk, or boom, by imitation of a sound made by or associated with its referent.
a word so formed.
the use of imitative and naturally suggestive words for rhetorical, dramatic, or poetic effect.

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Origin of onomatopoeia

1570–80; < Late Latin < Greek onomatopoiía making of words, equivalent to onomato- (combining form of ónoma name) + poi- (stem of poieîn to make; see poet) + -ia -ia

OTHER WORDS FROM onomatopoeia

on·o·mat·o·poe·ic, on·o·mat·o·po·et·ic [on-uh-mat-uh-poh-et-ik] /ˌɒn əˌmæt ə poʊˈɛt ɪk/, adjective on·o·mat·o·poe·i·cal·ly, on·o·mat·o·po·et·i·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby onomatopoeia

Example sentences from the Web for onomatopoeia

British Dictionary definitions for onomatopoeia

onomatopoeia
/ (ˌɒnəˌmætəˈpiːə) /

noun

the formation of words whose sound is imitative of the sound of the noise or action designated, such as hiss, buzz, and bang
the use of such words for poetic or rhetorical effect

Derived forms of onomatopoeia

onomatopoeic or onomatopoetic (ˌɒnəˌmætəpəʊˈɛtɪk), adjective onomatopoeically or onomatopoetically, adverb

Word Origin for onomatopoeia

C16: via Late Latin from Greek onoma name + poiein to make