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 high-rise waist creates a smoother look, and it can be worn with a V-neck sweater and white shirt combo to give it a preppy vibe à la the actress. —Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026

Biscayne 21, a 1960s high-rise on the lip of Biscayne Bay, just north of downtown, had all the makings of another Miami condo takeover. —Catherine Odom january 29, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2026

Noun

Elevated enough for the office and cozy enough for lounging around the house, they’re designed with a warm, high-rise fit and slit ankles for a stylish touch that shows off your shoes. —Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026

The city is set to begin construction soon on a 21-story, contemporary convention hotel at the western edge of the skyline − the first major high-rise built Downtown in years. —Sydney Franklin, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Feb. 2026

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