1 not used before a noun : not moving but ready to move
The actors were poised on the stage, ready for the curtain to come up.
She held the pencil poised over/above the paper.
2 not used before a noun : ready or prepared for something
The company is poised for success.
She seemed poised to take on the leadership of the country.
He is now poised to become the next big star in country music.
3 not used before a noun : in a state, place, or situation that is between two different or opposite things
a city poised between the mountains and the sea
a group of people poised between hope and fear
4 [more poised; most poised] : having or showing a calm, confident manner