what's the word or term that describes using the phrase, for example, "Like the prow of a ship, the building..

Answer 1

Simile is when you compare two things using the word "like".

Metaphor is when you compare two things by saying one thing IS another.

Answer 2

A simile is when you compare two nouns (persons, places or things) that are unlike, with "like" or "as" (you have done that here.)

"The water is like the sun" is an example of simile because water and the sun have little in common, and yet they're being compared to one another. The "is" is also part of what makes this example of simile.

Metaphor and simile are both terms that describe a comparison: the only difference between a metaphor and a simile is that a simile makes the comparison explicit by using "like" or "as.
"You are my sunshine" is a metaphor whereas "Your eyes are like the sun" is a simile.