ivory tower

noun

1

: an impractical often escapist attitude marked by aloof lack of concern with or interest in practical matters or urgent problems

2

: a secluded place that affords the means of treating practical issues with an impractical often escapist attitude

especially : a place of learning

ivory-tower

ˈī-v(ə-)rē-ˈtau̇(-ə)r 

adjective

ivory-towerish

ˈī-v(ə-)rē-ˈtau̇-(ə-)rish 

adjective

Examples of ivory tower in a Sentence

The book was written by some college professor who's spent her entire professional life in an ivory tower.

Recent Examples on the Web

Though universities are often stereotyped as ivory towers detached from practical realities, the Université Laval in Quebec City breaks that mold wide open. —Rachel Rabkin Peachman, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025

No law school lectures, no ivory tower shortcuts, just determination. —Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025

No law school lectures, no ivory tower shortcuts, just determination and a mountain of case log books to read. —Esther Kang, People.com, 21 May 2025

So, a bunch of college professors sitting in their ivory tower, twiddling their thumbs, come up with these weird terms. —David Weigel, semafor.com, 11 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

translation of French tour d'ivoire

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ivory tower

• airpower
• brainpower
• devour
• empower
• firepower
• horsepower
• manpower
• mayflower
• safflower
• sunflower
• wallflower
• watchtower