spire

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈspī(-ə)r 

1

: a slender tapering blade or stalk (as of grass)

2

: the upper tapering part of something (such as a tree or antler) : pinnacle

3

a

: a tapering roof or analogous pyramidal construction surmounting a tower

b

: steeple

a church spire

Illustration of spire

• S spire 3a

spire

2 of 4

verb (1)

spired; spiring

intransitive verb

: to rise like a spire

spire

3 of 4

noun (2)

1

a

: spiral

b

: coil

2

: the inner or upper part of a spiral gastropod shell consisting of all the whorls except the whorl in contact with the body

spire

4 of 4

verb (2)

spired; spiring

intransitive verb

: to rise in or as if in a spiral

Examples of spire in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The agency spokesperson says that the anechoic chamber hadn’t been upgraded since 1997 and that its microwave-absorbing foam spires were crumbling. — Eric Niiler, Scientific American, 22 Sep. 2026

The Empire State Building and its ornate Art Deco spire proved to be the most challenging part. — CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026

Verb

After its sidewalk-to-spire refurbishment, the 47-story structure now houses only 375 keys for hotel guests and 372 for private residents. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026

On April 15, a fire broke out in the attic and spread across the roof and spire before firefighters were alerted. — Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 21 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English spīr; akin to Middle Dutch spier blade of grass

Noun (2)

Latin spira coil, from Greek speira; perhaps akin to Greek sparton rope, esparto

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

1591, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for spire

• dire
• ire
• lyre
• mire
• quire
• squire
• admire
• afire
• aspire
• backfire
• esquire
• expire

Kids Definition

spire

noun

ˈspī(ə)r

1

: a blade or stalk (as of grass) that gradually becomes thinner and narrower near the top

2

: a sharp pointed tip (as of a tree or antler)

3

a

: a pointed roof especially of a tower

b

: steeple

spired

ˈspī(ə)rd

adjective