| 1. | (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. |
| 2. | a poet recognized or acclaimed as the most eminent or representative of a country or locality. |
| 3. | (formerly) a poet whose efforts were officially recognized, as by a sovereign, university, etc. |
| poet laureate n. pl. poets laureate or poet laureates
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