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

His poems employ numbers significant to Dine (Navajo) thought and ways of life. —Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026

Written by Italian playwright Stefano Massini as an epic poem and adapted for the stage by Ben Power, the play’s language is lyrical and gorgeously descriptive. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026

According to National Geographic, Scottish teenager Edna Clyne-Rekhy wrote the poem in 1959 while grieving the death of her Labrador Retriever named Major. —Patrick Wilson, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026

There’s hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of poems in my journals that come right after a sad story or a happy story or whatever. —Jessica Firger, SELF, 23 Mar. 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