poet

noun po·et \ ˈpō-ət , -it also ˈpȯ(-)it \

Updated on: 11 Apr 2018

Definition of poet

1 : one who writes poetry : a maker of verses

2 : one (such as a creative artist) of great imaginative and expressive capabilities and special sensitivity to the medium

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Examples of poet in a Sentence

Emily Dickinson is famous as the poet who rarely left the house but often journeyed to the depths of the human heart.

Recent Examples of poet from the Web

Although the identity of the poet who wrote the text is in doubt, there is no doubt that the words inspired some of Beethoven’s most transporting music.

— patrick neas, kansascity, "Magnificent Mozart that ‘lifts you to God’ from William Baker Festival Singers | The Kansas City Star," 7 Apr. 2018
Robert Scheer/IndyStar Google has used its latest doodle to celebrate the 90th birthday of late poet, educator, author and civil-rights activist Maya Angelou.

— justin l. mack, Indianapolis Star, "Why Maya Angelou's is being celebrated with Google doodle reading of 'Still I Rise'," 4 Apr. 2018
McBride has said that Angelou's work made her want to write songs, and Oprah has frequently called the poet a mentor.

— julyssa lopez, Glamour, "Celebrities Honor Maya Angelou's Stunning Legacy With Today's Google Doodle," 4 Apr. 2018
Astrid Hacker/Louisville Courier Journal A week ago, Courtney Sorrell was in her middle-school classroom, extolling the virtues of poet Langston Hughes.

— hannah sparling, Cincinnati.com, "Kentucky teacher: Budget process a 'slap in the face'," 3 Apr. 2018
Humbling women seems to be a chief pastime of poets.

— elizabeth winkler, WSJ, "Two New Books Look at Mythology With Fresh Eyes," 2 Apr. 2018
And the Ritz-Carlton team also arranged for an exclusive Tea Ceremony by Candlelight at Saigyo-an, the former residence of 12th-century poet and samurai Saijyohoshi, who famously developed a tea ceremony tradition.

— alex postman, Condé Nast Traveler, "A Mother and Son Search for Zen in Kyoto," 29 Mar. 2018
Dunya Mikhail, an Iraqi exile and one of the foremost poets of our time, has not.

— elizabeth toohey, The Christian Science Monitor, "Poet and Iraqi exile Dunya Mikhail's book 'The Beekeeper' serves as testimony for the victims of ISIS," 29 Mar. 2018
Roger Daltrey will receive the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Peacemaker Award, named in honor of poet and peacemaker Mattie J.T Stepanek, who died at age 13 in 2004.

— nerisha penrose, Billboard, "LL Cool J & Roger Daltrey to be Honored at We Are Family Foundation Gala," 20 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'poet.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of poet

Middle English, from Anglo-French poete, from Latin poeta, from Greek poiētēs maker, poet, from poiein to make; akin to Sanskrit cinoti he gathers, heaps up

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

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