strophe, inpoetry, a group of verses that form a distinct unit within a poem. The term is sometimes used as asynonym forstanza, usually in reference to aPindaric ode or to a poem that does not have a regularmetre andrhyme pattern, such asfree verse. In ancient Greek drama the strophe was the first part of a choralode that was performed by the chorus while it moved from one side of the stage to the other. The strophe was followed by anantistrophe of the same metrical structure (performed while the chorus reversed its movement) and then by anepode of different structure that was chanted as the chorus stood still.