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

This novel comes to readers in the form of a poem—one written by a fictional poet and accompanied by annotations from the poet’s (also fictional) colleague. — Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026

The poet Jack Spicer wrote that poems cannot live alone any more than people can. — Geoffrey O’Brien, The New York Review of Books, 22 Aug. 2026

Each program explores specific themes by weaving a variety of stories, poems, and sometimes music together. — Point Loma-Ob Monthly, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026

With Nolan and Emma Thomas producing for Syncopy, The Odyssey adapts Homer’s epic poem in telling the story of Odysseus (Damon) making his way home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 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