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

Video: Window washers left dangling 15 stories above the ground Watch as this high-rise mishap turns into a real pane in the neck. —Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 8 Dec. 2025

On Saturday, the brand launched new versions of its most popular five-pocket fits, the men’s straight leg Willie and the women’s high-rise Catherine. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 8 Dec. 2025

Noun

Nearly 70% of Milwaukee's high-rise buildings were constructed before sprinklers were required by state law, city officials said previously. —David Clarey, jsonline.com, 12 Dec. 2025

They’re made with ultra-soft fabric that’s sweat-wicking with four-way stretch, and their high-rise fit is designed to hug your body from the waist to the knee with a wider bottom to style with everything from sneakers to slippers. —Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 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