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

In 1981 she was honored with the Jnanpith Award, one of India’s most prestigious literary awards, for her collection of poems titled Kagaz Te Canvas. — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Nov. 2026

Its significance is closely linked to In Flanders Fields, the First World War poem written by Canadian military physician John McCrae after witnessing the devastation of fighting in Belgium. — Rich Percival, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2026

The film, based — rather loosely — on Homer’s epic poem, released this summer and was met with mostly comic derision and a flurry of one-star reviews. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 10 Nov. 2026

Bell later learned that Ali himself referred to If, written by Nobel-winning Jungle Book author Kipling, as his favorite poem. — Fred Topel, Deadline, 9 Nov. 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