The noun onomatopoeia is thought to has been first used in around 1577 AD. According to the Oxford Dictionary, the word onomatopoeia originates from the Greek word onomatopoiia meaning 'word-making'.
Definition of Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia is the formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named (e.g., cuckoo, sizzle). However the word Onomatopoeia can also be used to describe the use of such words for rhetorical effect. For example, in the sentence 'The poet Tennyson used onomatopoeia as a linguistic device' (see example below).
Onomatopoeia and its Derivatives
The adjective onomatopoeic can be used in the sentence 'Woof is an example of onomatopoeia'.
bark
ding
flick
growl
itch
sniff
woof
Yes, ding! The sound my dog makes when tapping his stainless steel bowl with his claw to tell me the dish is empty.
