In simple terms, think of a hypernym as the big group or category, and hyponyms as the specific members or types within that group. Hypernyms are the general terms, while hyponyms are the specific examples that fit under those general terms.

A hyponym is a word or phrase whose semantic field is more specific than its hypernym. The semantic field of a hypernym, also known as a superordinate, is broader than that of a hyponym. An approach to the relationship between hyponyms and hypernyms is to view a hypernym as consisting of hyponyms.

The hypernym for these, whether it is 'road' or 'thoroughfare' or something else, is not the same as a word for road names, that is, the things we attach to the name of a road when we say "Go two blocks, turn left at X".

Hypernymy and hyponymy are the semantic relations between a generic term (hypernym) and a more specific term (hyponym). The hypernym is also called a supertype,...

Contrary to my belief, a hypernym is part of linguistics and not part of homonym word play. Instead, it’s another way of categorizing words, of drilling down from a generic word (the hypernym) to more specific, descriptive words (hyponyms).