Definitions

1. noun

a person or thing that exemplifies a quality or principle

“He became a byword for honesty in his community.”

2. noun

a phrase or expression that is often repeated and becomes synonymous with a particular idea or concept

“The phrase ‘the American Dream’ has become a byword for the idea of success through hard work.”

3. verb

to make someone or something a byword

“She was byworded a hero after saving the child from the fire.”