You can use a Simulation tool to simulate this high-level description, display waveforms, and so on.

A synthesis tool takes your VHDL code and converts it into mathematical equations representing real hardware. Some synthesis tools also include a process called mapping, which maps the mathematical equations onto real physical bits of hardware (logic gates, adders, multipliers, shift registers, etc). After synthesis, a place and route tool is used to put the hardware in an optimal location in the device floorplan, and connect everything up. You can also perform simulation after the synthesis (post-synthesis simulation) and after place & route (post-placement), to gain confidence that the design is implemented as it should be.