diff --git a/modules/Bio/EnsEMBL/OntologyTerm.pm b/modules/Bio/EnsEMBL/OntologyTerm.pm
index 966e94ab230a039b9731681d9239a977d66803f7..d7d718c517371f3f418cc4e7973e411469720a01 100644
--- a/modules/Bio/EnsEMBL/OntologyTerm.pm
+++ b/modules/Bio/EnsEMBL/OntologyTerm.pm
@@ -63,6 +63,9 @@ use base qw( Bio::EnsEMBL::Storable );
   Arg [-DEFINITION] : (optional) String
                       The definition of the ontology term.
 
+  Arg [-SYNONYMS]   : (optional) Listref of strings
+                      The synonyms of this term.
+
   Arg               : Further arguments required for parent class
                       Bio::EnsEMBL::Storable.
 
@@ -71,16 +74,19 @@ use base qw( Bio::EnsEMBL::Storable );
   Example       :
 
     my $term = Bio::EnsEMBL::OntologyTerm->new(
-      '-accession'  => 'GO:0030326',
+      '-accession'  => 'GO:0021785',
       '-ontology'   => 'GO',
       '-namespace'  => 'biological_process',
-      '-name'       => 'embryonic limb morphogenesis',
-      '-definition' => 'The process, occurring in the embryo, '
-        . 'by which the anatomical structures of the limb '
-        . 'are generated and organized. '
-        . 'Morphogenesis pertains to the creation of form. '
-        . 'A limb is an appendage of an animal '
-        . 'used for locomotion or grasping.'
+      '-name'       => 'branchiomotor neuron axon guidance',
+      '-definition' => 'The process in which a branchiomotor '
+        . 'neuron growth cone is directed to a specific target site. '
+        . 'Branchiomotor neurons are located in the hindbrain and '
+        . 'innervate branchial arch-derived muscles that control jaw '
+        . 'movements, facial expression, the larynx, and the pharynx.',
+      '-synonyms' => [ 'BMN axon guidance',
+                       'branchial motor axon guidance',
+                       'special visceral motor neuron axon guidance' ]
+
         # ... other arguments required by Bio::EnsEMBL::Storable.
     );
 
@@ -196,6 +202,30 @@ sub definition {
   return $this->{'definition'};
 }
 
+=head2 synonyms
+
+  Arg           : None
+
+  Description   : Returns the list of synonyms defined for this term
+                  (if any).
+
+  Example       : my @synonyms = @{ $term->synonyms() };
+
+  Return type   : Listref of strings
+
+=cut
+
+sub synonyms {
+  my ($this) = @_;
+
+  if ( !exists( $this->{'synonyms'} ) ) {
+    $this->{'synonyms'} =
+      $this->adaptor()->_fetch_synonyms_by_dbID( $this->dbID() );
+  }
+
+  return $this->{'synonyms'};
+}
+
 =head2 subsets
 
   Arg           : None