A word that imitates its meaning, such as "buzz" or "splash," is known as what?

When a word imitates the sound it represents, such as "buzz," which mimics the sound made by bees, or "splash," which mimics the sound of something hitting water, it falls under the category of onomatopoeia. This literary device allows the word to convey meaning through its sound, creating a direct auditory association with the action or object it describes. Onomatopoeic words enhance the imagery and emotional impact of a piece of writing by enabling the reader to hear the sounds being described, thereby making the description more vivid and engaging.

Simile, metaphor, and imagery are related to figurative language and descriptive techniques but do not specifically pertain to sound imitation. A simile uses "like" or "as" to compare two different things, while a metaphor makes a direct comparison without those words. Imagery involves descriptive language that appeals to the senses, but it does not focus exclusively on sound. Therefore, onomatopoeia is the precise term for words that imitate their meaning through sound.