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 weightless, soft material is undeniably comfortable, and the high-rise waistband is flattering, especially for its sculpting fabric. —Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 4 Jan. 2026

More mid-rise and even high-rise housing will be allowed in areas such as suburbs where zoning restrictions previously kept them out. —Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026

Noun

Make your outfit more interesting by adding exciting texture with these wide-leg high-rise silky pull-on pants, these mid-rise corduroy pants, or these rockstar-esque, vegan leather bootcut pants. —Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2026

Featuring a high-rise waistband and leg-elongating straight-leg fit, the bottoms are oh-so-flattering. —Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 11 Jan. 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