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 of poem

• verse
• lyric
• song
• sonnet
• poetry

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

The prolific and acclaimed writer and activist used his liberal beliefs and his agrarian roots in Kentucky to craft novels, poems and essays connecting the natural world to humankind. — Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Two translations—of poems by the Indian mystic Mirabai and the contemporary Romanian poet Radu Vancu—seek to inhabit and transcend the history that holds up the present. — Craig Morgan Teicher, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026

Some contain inscriptions of short poems, according to the Dave the Potter Legacy Trust, which is run by his living relatives. — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2026

Greeting the audience at the entrance is Rilke’s poem, printed on a transparent panel; visible just beyond is Goldin+Senneby’s large-scale, amber Resin Pond (2006), made with two tons of pine tree resin spilling across the gallery. — Vivienne Chow, ARTnews.com, 29 Sep. 2026

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