Poet laureate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a poet who is unofficially regarded as holding an honorary position in a particular group or region
    • she is the poet laureate of all lyricists
    • he is the poet laureate of Arkansas
  2. noun the poet officially appointed to the royal household in Great Britain
    • the poet laureate is expected to provide poems for great national occasions

WordNet

Definitions
  1. . (b) One who received an honorable degree in grammar, including poetry and rhetoric, at the English universities; so called as being presented with a wreath of laurel . Obs. (b) Formerly, an officer of the king's household, whose business was to compose an ode annually for the king's birthday, and other suitable occasions; now, a poet officially distinguished by such honorary title, the office being a sinecure. It is said this title was first given in the time of Edward IV. Eng.
Definitions
  1. . See under Laureate.

Webster 1913