poem

[ poh-uhm ]

noun

1. a composition in verse, especially one that is characterized by a highly developed artistic form and by the use of heightened language and rhythm to express an intensely imaginative interpretation of the subject.
2. composition that, though not in verse, is characterized by great beauty of language or expression:

   a prose poem from the Scriptures; a symphonic poem.

3. something having qualities that are suggestive of or likened to those of poetry:

   Marcel, that chicken cacciatore was an absolute poem.

poem

/ ˈpəʊɪm /

noun

1. a composition in verse, usually characterized by concentrated and heightened language in which words are chosen for their sound and suggestive power as well as for their sense, and using such techniques as metre, rhyme, and alliteration
2. a literary composition that is not in verse but exhibits the intensity of imagination and language common to it

   a prose poem

3. anything resembling a poem in beauty, effect, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of poem¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin poēma, from Greek poíēma “poem, something made,” from poiē- (variant stem of poieîn “to make”) + -ma, noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of poem¹

C16: from Latin poēma, from Greek, variant of poiēma something composed, created, from poiein to make

Example Sentences

Distraught, she wrote her poem on the subway on the way to the event.

From The Daily Beast

Uneeb Khan asked in his poem about his quest for answers following the death of his non-Muslim friend.

From The Daily Beast

Each word, from aa to za, gets its own two-page spread with a poem and a pic.

From The Daily Beast

How much of your family was able to see you read your poem at the inauguration?

From The Daily Beast

You include a story about a poem, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, really affecting you in your formative years.

From The Daily Beast

In his condemned cell he composed a beautiful poem of 14 verses (“My last Thought”), which was found by his wife and published.

From Project Gutenberg

Sebastian Brandt died; counsellor of Strassburg, a lawyer, and author of a curious poem.

From Project Gutenberg

And in his heart the name of the poem repeated itself with significant insistence: Unwelcome!

From Project Gutenberg

They were still talking of the poem and the music, exchanging intimate thoughts in the language he could not understand.

From Project Gutenberg

He was for many years judge of a court in Connecticut, and is known as the author of the popular poem, McFingal.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ballad
• composition
• epic
• lyric
• poetry
• rhyme
• sonnet
• verse
• writing