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

• minstrelsy
• poesy
• song
• verse

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

After years of working as a professional artist—traveling for speaking engagements, creating interactive poetry installations, and consulting on the power of creativity—Pruitt-Gaines found herself at a crossroads. —Amanda Miller Littlejohn, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025

Come to One Mike Detroit for a pop-up night of poetry, music and comedy. —Annalise Frank, Axios, 20 Feb. 2025

Kwiatkowski writes his own aphoristic, bluntly matter-of-fact poetry on a Nokia flip phone, so that each word, each letter, is painstakingly chosen. —Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025

Through his poetry, with his poetry, Frost thought about symbols a lot. —James Parker, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2025

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