poem

American  

[poh-uhm] / ˈpoʊ əm /

noun

• poems
  plural

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.

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poem British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• poems
  plural

Etymology

Origin of poem

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

Explanation

A poem is written by composing lines of metrical feet (those are like beats or counts of syllables), arranged rhythmically. If you're looking to impress your crush, try penning a poem. Poetry is literature in metrical form, and a poem is what we call a piece of poetry. There are so many different kinds of poems it's almost impossible to define, but usually poems are written in short lines, and sometimes don't have too many lines. What counts in a poem is distilling something down, and finding the right words. If someone tells you that your Tweets are like little poems, then you must be a lovely writer.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

poem poems

The film based on the Greek epic poem has grossed $911 million after three weekends in theaters.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026

The nonlinear nature of Homer’s epic poem lends itself to his style.

From Salon ● Aug. 2, 2026

The ire stems from a biting 4,200-word takedown of “The Odyssey” penned by classicist Wilson, who translated Homer’s poem in 2017.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026

Based on Homer's poem written originally in Greek around the 7th or 8th century BC, the film tracks hero Odysseus as he faces obstacle after obstacle on his trek home from the Trojan War.

From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026

She could multiply fractions, turn a cartwheel, and recite entire stanzas of “The Wreck of the Hesperus,” a marvelous poem about a shipwreck by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

In fact, nobody knows exactly where Homer wrote his epic poems and there is much mythology around the idea of his cave.

From Barron's ● Aug. 17, 2026

Mr. Mason’s new book of poems is “Cold Fire.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

Most of these miniatures and tone poems were inspired by Hopkins’ childhood — his parents, his hometown, the day the circus came.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026

She might add images or poems to the work, not knowing why until she meets the person who buys it.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026

“I don’t really have a plan, not yet. There’s not much of a future in making puzzlers and poems, I expect.”

From "Willodeen" by Katherine Applegate

Related Words

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