poetry

noun

po·​et·​ry ˈpō-ə-trē 

-i-trē

also ˈpȯ(-)i-trē

1

a

: metrical writing : verse

b

: the productions of a poet : poems

2

: writing that formulates a concentrated imaginative awareness of experience in language chosen and arranged to create a specific emotional response through meaning, sound, and rhythm

3

a

: something likened to poetry especially in beauty of expression

b

: poetic quality or aspect

the poetry of dance

Synonyms of poetry

• song
• verse
• rhyme
• poesy

Examples of poetry in a Sentence

I read the poem in a collection of modern poetry.

She's published two books of lyric poetry and a novel.

He found it easiest to express himself in the language of poetry.

Her dancing is pure poetry.

Recent Examples on the Web

Baxter, a fiction writer and essayist who has won two Minnesota Book Awards and is a former University of Minnesota professor of creative writing, calls for more poetry now. —Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 23 Feb. 2026

Established in 1993, the Grants to Artists awards provide unrestricted assistance to practitioners working in the fields of dance, music and sound, performance art and theater, poetry, and the visual arts. —News Desk, Artforum, 23 Feb. 2026

Her poetry has appeared in the Brooklyn Magazine, The Iowa Review, Minnesota Review amongst others. —Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026

Eckburg also praised his good friend’s poetry, noting that Williams’ books were not only part of many veterans’ personal libraries, his weekly poems in The Voice community newspaper were a treat for readers over the years. —Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing poetry

• concrete poetry
• poetry in motion
• poetry reading

Kids Definition

poetry

noun

po·​et·​ry ˈpō-ə-trē 

-i-trē

1

a

: writing usually with a rhythm that repeats : verse

b

: the productions of a poet : poems

2

: writing chosen and arranged to create a certain emotional response through meaning, sound, and rhythm