poem

noun

po·​em ˈpō-əm How to pronounce poem (audio)
-im,
ˈpōm,
 also  ˈpȯ(-)im,
ˈpō-ˌem How to pronounce poem (audio)
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 poemH. J. Laski

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
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.
The poem was written before Gelman’s own son and pregnant daughter-in-law were kidnapped in the Dirty War. Julia M. Klein, The Atlantic, 11 July 2025 The way Superman's origin has seeped into the zeitgeist is akin to how legends like the ancient Mesopotamian epic poem, the Epic of Gilgamesh, have many versions throughout history and eventually influenced other myths. Robert Lea, Space.com, 7 July 2025 Based on the epic poem, the story follows Odysseus (played by Damon), King of Ithaca, on his dangerous journey home after the Trojan War. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 7 July 2025 Now on a plaque inside the Statue of Liberty, the poem had been forgotten at the time of the poet’s death. Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 4 July 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Poem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poem. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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

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