Homonyms

[hom-uh-nim] /ˈhɒm ə nɪm/

noun
1.
Phonetics. a word pronounced the same as another but differing in meaning, whether spelled the same way or not, as heir and air; a (def 1).
2.
a word that is both a homophone and a homograph, that is, exactly the same as another in sound and spelling but different in meaning, as chase “to pursue” and chase “to ornament metal.”.
3.
(loosely) a word of the same written form as another but of different meaning and usually origin, whether pronounced the same way or not, as bear “to carry; support” and bear “animal” or lead “to conduct” and lead “metal;” a .
4.
Obsolete. a namesake.
5.
Biology. a name given to a species or genus that has already been assigned to a different species or genus and that is therefore rejected.
/ˈhɒmənɪm/
noun
1.
one of a group of words pronounced or spelt in the same way but having different meanings Compare homograph, homophone
2.
a person with the same name as another
3.
(biology) a name for a species or genus that should be unique but has been used for two or more different organisms
n.

1807, from French homonyme and directly from Latin homonymum (Quintilian), from Greek homonymon, neuter of homonymos, from homos “same” (see homo- (1)) + onyma, dialectal form of onoma “name” (see name (n.)).
homonyms [(hom-uh-nimz)]

Two words that sound alike and may even be spelled alike but have different meanings, such as trunk (meaning part of an elephant) and trunk (meaning a storage chest). Often used with the same meaning as homophone.