poet laureate
(in Great Britain) a poet appointed for life as an officer of the royal household, formerly expected to write poems in celebration of court and national events.
a poet recognized or acclaimed as the most eminent or representative of a country or locality.
(formerly) a poet whose efforts were officially recognized, as by a sovereign, university, etc.
Origin of poet laureate
1Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use poet laureate in a sentence
Former poet laureate Robert Pinsky remembers how funny his friend could be.
At his side, volunteering to help the wounded, is the poet laureate of the American Civil War himself, Walt Whitman.
This Week’s Hot Reads: Sept. 30, 2013 | Thomas Flynn, Jimmy So | September 30, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTIn 2011 the judges came under fire for a shortlist many, including the former poet laureate Andrew Motion, deemed too “readable.”
For the celebration, former U.S. poet laureate Billy Collins was commissioned to write an ode to the monument.
News of the World by our new poet laureate, Philip Levine, makes you think about what unites us and what our common purpose is.
At the Floral Games he who is crowned poet-laureate chooses the Queen, and she crowns him with a wreath of olive leaves.
Frdric Mistral | Charles Alfred DownerRobert Bridges, the present poet-laureate, also deserves especial mention.
The Complete Club Book for Women | Caroline French BentonAfter the death of his friend Southey, the mantle of the poet laureate fell upon him.
A History of the Nineteenth Century, Year by Year | Edwin EmersonShe would have spoken in the same way to prince or poet-laureate, and would have pleased either as much as the blacksmith.
There and Back | George MacDonald"To America," included by permission of the poet laureate, is a good poem and a great poem.
Poems Every Child Should Know | Various
British Dictionary definitions for poet laureate
British the poet appointed as court poet of Britain who is given a post as an officer of the Royal Household. The first was Ben Jonson in 1616
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for poet laureate
The national poet in Britain. Historically, the poet laureate's duty has been to compose official poetry for the king's or queen's birthday and for great public occasions, such as victories in war, coronations, and births and weddings in the royal family. The poets laureate of Britain have included Geoffrey Chaucer, William Wordsworth, and Alfred, Lord Tennyson.
Notes for poet laureate
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Browse