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

• verse
• lyric
• song
• sonnet

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

In Oliver’s poems, seeing is also feeling and both become an overwhelm for which language is a slight anodyne or ease. —Natalie Diaz september 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025

New and experienced poets can gather to read and share their poems. —La Jolla Light, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025

The real bombshell was a birthday scrapbook that Maxwell put together for Epstein’s 50th birthday, full of doodles, poems, photos, and letters from people in his life. —Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2025

The book was compiled by Epstein's co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell for his 50th birthday and reportedly contained poems, photos and greetings from academics, businesspeople, Epstein's childhood friends and more. —Dan Gooding gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025

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

Rhymes for poem

• jeroboam
• rehoboam

Kids Definition

poem

noun

po·​em ˈpō-əm  -im 

ˈpōm,

 also  ˈpō-ˌem

: a composition in verse