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

But the flames are believed to have spread quickly due to the bamboo scaffolding covering the exterior of the high-rise. —Julia Gomez, USA Today, 26 Nov. 2025

The jeans are tailored with a leg-elongating flare, targeted tummy compression, and a high-rise waist to accentuate your shape. —Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 26 Nov. 2025

Noun

Hong Kong firefighters found dozens more bodies Friday in an intensive apartment-by-apartment search of a high-rise complex where a fire engulfed seven buildings, and authorities arrested another 8 people involved in the towers' renovation. —David Rising, Arkansas Online, 29 Nov. 2025

These chic straight-leg jeans are available in a 29-inch short inseam and have a high-rise cut that sits at the natural waist. —Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 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