/poh"euhm/ , n.
1. a composition in verse, esp. 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.
[ 1540-50; poema poíema poem, something made, equiv. to poie-, var. s. of poieîn to make + -ma suffix denoting result ]