Definition of: paronomasia

(par′ə·nō·mā′zhē·ə, -zē·ə) noun
Any use for effect of words similar in sound, but differing in meaning; a play on words, especially one in which the similarity of sound is the prominent characteristic. Compare PUN. [<L <Gk. <paronomazein alter slightly in meaning <para- beside + onoma name]
—par′o·no·ma′si·al, par′o·no·mas′tic (-mas′tik) or ·ti·cal adjective
—par′o·no·mas′ti·cal·ly adverb