skyscraper

noun

sky·​scrap·​er ˈskī-ˌskrā-pər How to pronounce skyscraper (audio)
Synonyms of skyscrapernext
: a very tall building

Examples of skyscraper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
From her office on the 12th floor of Norfolk Southern’s skyscraper in Midtown Atlanta, a big part of Dianne Barnett’s job as chief mechanical officer is to improve safety of the Fortune 500 railroad. — Kelly Yamanouchi, AJC.com, 24 Aug. 2026 Astronomers are finding that in between the brightest stars, the 'tallest skyscrapers' in the above analogy, there are much fainter stars analogous to smaller buildings. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 Aug. 2026 The drones will primarily fly in the suburbs well away from skyscrapers and major airports that could cause problems. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026 The San Fernando Valley is starting a project to build skyscrapers filled with affordable housing for seniors. — Hunter Sowards, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for skyscraper

Word History

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of skyscraper was in 1882

Rhymes for skyscraper

See All Rhymes for skyscraper

Browse Nearby Words

skyscrape
skyscraper
skyscrapered
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Skyscraper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skyscraper. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

skyscraper

noun
sky·​scrap·​er ˈskī-ˌskrā-pər How to pronounce skyscraper (audio)
: a very tall building

More from Merriam-Webster on skyscraper

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for skyscraper

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about skyscraper

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of southpaw

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Why do we say 'break a leg'?

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All