tower

1 of 2

noun

tow·​er ˈtau̇(-ə)r 

1

: a building or structure typically higher than its diameter and high relative to its surroundings that may stand apart (such as a campanile) or be attached (such as a church belfry) to a larger structure and that may be fully walled in or of skeleton framework (such 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

towered

ˈtau̇(-ə)rd 

adjective

towerlike

ˈtau̇(-ə)r-ˌlīk 

adjective

tower

2 of 2

verb

towered; towering; towers

intransitive verb

1

: to reach or rise to a great height

2

: to exhibit superior qualities : surpass

her intellect towered over the others'

Synonyms of tower

Noun

• cathedral
• edifice
• palace
• structure
• hall

Verb

• exceed
• surpass
• top
• eclipse
• better

Examples of tower in a Sentence

Noun

a hill from which one can gaze upon the towers of that great and historic city

Verb

that actor's performance towered over all others in the film

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In the past, Yee had dined at a couple of the restaurants inside the pyramid-like glass tower, but never spent time in the viewing gallery, which boasts an open-air deck and London’s highest champagne bar. — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026

Park goers will be able to get a bird's eye view of it all from the Downforce drop tower and Cloud Flyer, a 150 feet-high spinning swing ride. — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Verb

Across the river lies the Theban Necropolis, home to the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, Queen Hatshepsut’s spectacular mortuary temple and the towering figures of the Colossi of Memnon. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Lily Allen took the stage in towering silver platform heels at the 2026 Øya Festival at Tøyenparken in Oslo, Norway, on Saturday. — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 16 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tower

• bell tower
• conning tower
• cooling tower
• fire tower
• ivory tower
• martello tower
• tower above/over
• tower block
• tower house
• tower of Babel
• tower of strength
• water tower

Rhymes for tower

• bower
• cower
• dour
• flour
• flower
• fower
• glower
• hour
• our
• power
• scour
• shower

Kids Definition

tower

1 of 2 noun

tow·​er ˈtau̇(-ə)r 

1

: a tall narrow building or structure that may stand by itself or be attached to a larger structure

2

: citadel sense 1

towered

ˈtau̇(-ə)rd 

adjective

tower

2 of 2 verb

: to reach or rise to a great height