high-rise

1 of 2

adjective

ˈhī-ˈrīz 

1

: being multistory and equipped with elevators

high-rise apartments

2

: of, relating to, or characterized by high-rise buildings

a high-rise complex

3

: having a longer than standard rise (see rise entry 2 sense 7)

high-rise jeans

There are boxer shorts, low-rise briefs, high-rise briefs, … and colors galore.

—Nancy Lawson

high-rise

2 of 2

noun

ˈhī-ˌrīz 

variants or less commonly high rise

plural high-rises also high rises

: a building (such as an apartment building) that has multiple stories and is equipped with elevators

They live on the tenth floor of a high-rise.

Examples of high-rise in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

With Tarrant County prices shifting and downtown high-rises competing with suburban subdivisions, the trade-offs deserve a closer look before anyone signs a contract. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026

Bardet and Dorfman say the city should pause approvals of new high-rises and reconsider its process. —Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026

Noun

The Jannes Library sits next door to the south, along with two high-rise apartment buildings, including the 12-story Oak Hall Condominiums. —Eric Adler may 12, Kansas City Star, 12 May 2026

The rendering was released in October 2025 as part of the third effort to develop the property into a high-rise district. —Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 11 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Noun

1962, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

high-rise

adjective

ˈhī-ˈrīz

: having several stories and being equipped with elevators

high-rise apartments

high-rise noun