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

Egyptian cotton and Italian Frette linens cover the super comfy feather-free beds and there’s a framed sleep poem next to each bed in a nod to Georgian literary and salon culture. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 May 2026

The kecak dance is a 20th century adaptation of the trance-inducing Hindu ceremonies performed in Bali and a retelling of one of the stories in the Ramayana, the Hindu epic poem. —Emily Feng, NPR, 20 May 2026

Torkildson, 73, has been writing these poems — and sending them to the articles’ authors — since 2014. —Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 19 May 2026

In 2018, Nazir appears to have self-published this book of inspirational poems, much-feted on Amazon. —Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 19 May 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