poem

noun

po·​em ˈpō-əm How to pronounce poem (audio)
-im
ˈpōm
also ˈpȯ(-)im
ˈpō-ˌem How to pronounce poem (audio)
Synonyms of poemnext
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Dare one hope that someone will take this writing instrument and someday author a book, or a poem, or a song or something that would give pleasure to others. Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026 Which poem, and why did the killjoys at the magazine turn it down? Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026 His story is written into the San Jose Unified School District curriculum, where students write poems about his life and work. Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026 The song arose from a 1937 protest poem by Abel Meeropol (aka Lewis Allan) after the lynching of Thomas Shipp and Abram Smith in Indiana. Daniella Walsh, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for poem

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of poem was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Poem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poem. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

poem

noun
po·​em ˈpō-əm How to pronounce poem (audio) -im How to pronounce poem (audio)
ˈpōm
also ˈpō-ˌem
: a composition in verse

More from Merriam-Webster on poem

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster