ivory tower

noun

1

: an impractical often escapist attitude marked by aloof lack of concern with or interest in practical matters or urgent problems

2

: a secluded place that affords the means of treating practical issues with an impractical often escapist attitude

especially : a place of learning

ivory-tower

ˈī-v(ə-)rē-ˈtau̇(-ə)r 

adjective

ivory-towerish

ˈī-v(ə-)rē-ˈtau̇-(ə-)rish 

adjective

Examples of ivory tower in a Sentence

The book was written by some college professor who's spent her entire professional life in an ivory tower.

Recent Examples on the Web

First, despite all of the incentives in the academy for professors to retreat into intellectual isolationism and otherwise hide in the ivory tower, there remains much useful academic work that should be of interest to policymakers and the rest of society. —Peter Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 15 Sep. 2013

Now the most frightening versions are taking shape, as specters in the hallways of the ivory tower. —Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 30 Mar. 2025

The image of universities as ivory towers reflects ideas of the past, not the reality of the present and the hope of the future. —Kurt L. Schmoke, Baltimore Sun, 27 Mar. 2025

Science, technology, engineering, and math experts must broadly engage and move beyond the comfort zones of the ivory tower. —Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

translation of French tour d'ivoire

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ivory tower

• airpower
• brainpower
• devour
• empower
• firepower
• horsepower
• manpower
• mayflower
• safflower
• sunflower
• wallflower
• watchtower