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

Filmed on special high-resolution IMAX film, Nolan spent approximately $3 million on 2 million feet of raw physical film stock on the nearly three-hour retelling of the ancient Greek poem. — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 18 July 2026

The film is based on the ancient Greek poem by Homer that spans 24 books and tells about the 10-year journey of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, returning home after the Trojan War. — Zuri Primos july 18, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2026

There is no ‘correct’ treatment, because every generation makes its own version of the poem, either by retranslation or revisualization in various media. — Antonio Ferme, Variety, 18 July 2026

In The Odyssey poem, Clytemnestra is already dead, so her spirit appears to show how Penelope could have given into the temptation of her suitors but didn’t. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 18 July 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