Main Entry: ¹tow·er

Pronunciation: \ˈtau̇(-ə)r\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English tour, tor, from Old English torr & Anglo-French tur, tour, both from Latin turris, from Greek tyrris, tyrsis

Date: before 12th century

1 : a building or structure typically higher than its diameter and high relative to its surroundings that may stand apart (as a campanile) or be attached (as a church belfry) to a larger structure and that may be fully walled in or of skeleton framework (as an observation or transmission tower)
2 : a towering citadel : fortress
3 : one that provides support or protection : bulwark <a tower of strength>
4 : a personal computer case that stands in an upright position

— tow·ered \ˈtau̇(-ə)rd\ adjective

— tow·er·like \ˈtau̇(-ə)r-ˌlīk\ adjective