poem

noun

po·​em ˈpō-əm How to pronounce poem (audio)
-im,
ˈpōm,
 also  ˈpȯ(-)im,
ˈpō-ˌem How to pronounce poem (audio)
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 poemH. J. Laski

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Fallen blossoms whisper on the damp earth, a fleeting poem of transience. Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 1 May 2025 The title, from a poem by the Tohono O’odham linguist Ofelia Zepeda, clings like juniper on skin. Petala Ironcloud, New York Times, 1 May 2025 Her university studies in philosophy and literature are evident in its design: A poem written in the movement’s cogs only aligns a few times a year (when the moon cycle and Gregorian calendar cycle meet) and can only be read if the watch is taken apart. Rosa Rahimi, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2025 The fund — which over the years has donated to Porter’s Call, the Loveland Foundation and the Trevor Project — shares a name with Ballerini’s book of poems from 2021, which touches on overcoming anxiety and trauma. Thania Garcia, Variety, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for poem

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of poem was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Poem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poem. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

poem

noun
po·​em ˈpō-əm How to pronounce poem (audio) -im How to pronounce poem (audio)
ˈpōm,
 also  ˈpō-ˌem
: a composition in verse

More from Merriam-Webster on poem

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