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

McAllister and his team handed out ice cream and demonstrated a gadget called Poetry Camera, which uses Claude to analyze photos and print a corresponding poem.

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The man’s mind, we know from the poem, is consumed with grief for his lost love, Lenore, and terror that her ghost has come seeking entrance.

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The Poems of Seamus Heaney includes all 12 of the late poet's collections, alongside a selection of "uncollected" poems that originally appeared in newspapers, journals and magazines under different pen names.

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“That was a quote from a poem I wrote to a horrible man I’ve never met before,” he said.

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Ms. Case’s lyrics are so vivid and well-rendered you feel like they could just as easily be transformed into epic poems, personal essays, or chapters in a book.

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Related Words

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