poem

noun

po·​em ˈpō-əm 

-im,

ˈpōm,

 also  ˈpȯ(-)im,

ˈpō-ˌem 

1

: a composition in verse

2

: something suggesting a poem (as in expressiveness, lyricism, or formal grace)

the house we stayed in … was itself a poem

—H. J. Laski

Synonyms

• lyric
• rune
• song
• verse

Examples of poem in a Sentence

He wrote a poem about his parents.

your assignment is to write two poems about springtime

Recent Examples on the Web

Last year, a Florida school restricted access to her iconic poem, leading the 26-year-old Gorman to become a powerful advocate against book banning. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2024

At a time when everyone is talking about AI, these poems ask us to observe the Venn-diagram intersection of softness between machine and man. —Kristen Arnett, TIME, 4 June 2024

Stephanie’s mother, who speaks the language, read a poem about two doves in Slovenian during the ceremony before translating it to English for the crowd. —Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 May 2024

At the poem’s conclusion, Silence is made to give up his knighthood, marry a king, and forced into a life of silent passivity. Condemn, or keep quiet? —Jessica Hines, The Conversation, 16 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French poeme, from Latin poema, from Greek poiēma, from poiein

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing poem

• found poem
• heroic poem
• prose poem
• symphonic poem
• tone poem

Kids Definition

poem

noun

po·​em ˈpō-əm  -im 

ˈpōm,

 also  ˈpō-ˌem

: a composition in verse