A type of wordplay that relies on two words that sound the same or single word that has two distinct a meanings is called a(n)

A type of wordplay that relies on two words that sound the same or single word that has two distinct a meanings is called a(n) pun.

Explanation:

A pun is a word play or joke that exploits words that have multiple meanings or words that sound alike but present different meanings. An example of a pun is:

- I've been to the dentist many times so I know the drill.

The wordplay here relies on the fact that the word "drill" can refer to two very different things. It can refer to the tool used by the dentist to perforate the teeth. But it can also refer to a repetitive activity or event that is learned after being practiced. We often say we know the drill when something happens often in the same manner. That is the joke. The speaker is, at the same time, saying he knows what to do, how things work when he goes to the dentist, and saying that he knows the tool the dentist uses.