Definition of: homonym

(hom′ə·nim, hŏ′mə-) noun
1. A word identical with another in pronunciation, but differing from it in spelling and meaning, as fair and fare, read and reed: also called homophone.
2. A homograph.
3. A word identical with another in spelling and pronunciation, but differing from it in origin and meaning, as butter, the food, and butter, one who butts.
4. One who has the same name as another; namesake.
5. Biol. A generic or specific name rejected because of previous application to another animal or plant. [<Gk. homos same + onyma name]
—hom·o·nym·ic (hom′ə·nim′ik, hō′mə-) or ·i·cal adjective ♦ Homonym is used with a variety of meanings, the most common sense being that of definition 1 above. Although homophone is etymologically more precise and is unambiguous in meaning, homonym is nevertheless the more commonly used form in this sense. Homonym is also, but less commonly, used interchangeably with homograph.