poem

noun

po·​em ˈpō-əm How to pronounce poem (audio)
-im, 
ˈpōm
also ˈpȯ(-)im, 
ˈpō-ˌem How to pronounce poem (audio)
Synonyms of poemnext
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

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Examples of poem in a Sentence

He wrote a poem about his parents. your assignment is to write two poems about springtime
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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Broadway-loving teens will fall madly in love with this 2001 musical classic about the infamous French nightclub, its star performer Satine, and her poem-writing love Christian—Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor in two of their best roles. — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 29 Aug. 2026 Director Ivan Uryvskyi is candid about how the play recasts the ancient poem’s themes of return and those trapped in exile and captivity. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026 In another poem, Martial suggests that a writer seeking fame should copy his works on the toilet walls for all to read. — Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026 Trying to come closer to her lexicon and her vision, instead of rendering a smoother poem in English, was my main challenge. — Wallis Wilde-Menozzi, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for poem

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of poem was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing poem

Rhymes for poem

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Browse Nearby Words

poecilogony
poem
poematic
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Cite this Entry

“Poem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poem. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

poem

noun
po·​em ˈpō-əm How to pronounce poem (audio) -im How to pronounce poem (audio)
ˈpōm
also ˈpō-ˌem
: a composition in verse

More from Merriam-Webster on poem

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about poem

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