What is onomatopoeia?

Onomatopoeia refers to words that are formed from the sounds associated with the objects or actions they refer to. For instance, words like "buzz" mimic the sound of a bee, while "bang" captures the sound of an explosion. This literary technique creates an auditory effect that helps to enhance the writing and make it more vivid and engaging.

The other options do not accurately define onomatopoeia. While onomatopoeia is indeed a figure of speech and can be used in poetry, it is primarily characterized by its connection to sounds rather than being simply a type of rhyme or a literary device for exaggeration. The focus on the relationship between sound and meaning is what makes "a word formed from associated sounds" the correct understanding of onomatopoeia.