watchtower

noun

watch·​tow·​er ˈwäch-ˌtau̇(-ə)r How to pronounce watchtower (audio)
ˈwȯch-
Synonyms of watchtowernext
: a tower for a lookout

Examples of watchtower in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The path finally flattened at the bottom of a watchtower covered on one side with steel scaffolding. — Erin Tan, NBC news, 13 May 2026 State regulators have built the watchtower. — Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026 The sense of history is heady here, especially in rooms that occupy the palace’s 13th-century watchtower. — Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 22 May 2026 Inside Albufera Natural Park, this watchtower is a limestone promontory that gives views across paddy fields. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for watchtower

Word History

First Known Use

1544, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of watchtower was in 1544

Rhymes for watchtower

See All Rhymes for watchtower

Browse Nearby Words

watch the clock
watchtower
watch train
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Watchtower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/watchtower. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

watchtower

noun
watch·​tow·​er ˈwäch-ˌtau̇(-ə)r How to pronounce watchtower (audio)
ˈwȯch-
: a tower for a lookout

More from Merriam-Webster on watchtower

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for watchtower

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about watchtower

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