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

The Israeli military struck multiple high-rise buildings in Gaza City on Sunday, after warning people to leave several neighborhoods, in the latest round of destruction since Israel ordered a complete evacuation of the city earlier this week. —Tim Lister, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025

Then came more high-rise condos and office buildings, as well as a shopping village and a major mall. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 2025

Noun

Property values in many older high-rises have fallen by around 22% since 2024, while insurance premiums, reserve funding demands, and special assessments are climbing. —Maria Williams, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025

There’s not a sharp angle to be found on the exterior, just smooth flowing lines from the extended hood to the high-rise rear wing (though this now-iconic feature was optional). —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 25 Sep. 2025

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