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

Many poems are short and easy reads, and some of the best examples of the genre have been written about the autumn season. — Dana Kelley, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026

My physical study, on the floor, poking at what was there in the open field of the air, led to newfound levels of learning to process, in poems on the page, where my initial feelings of hunger came from. — Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026

The poems follow a character named Henry who shares a biographical likeness to the author, though Berryman states Henry is an imaginary character. — The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 15 Oct. 2026

List of famous ballads The following are some notable poems and songs that are also ballads. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Oct. 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