steeple

noun

stee·​ple ˈstē-pəl How to pronounce steeple (audio)
: a tall structure usually having a small spire at the top and surmounting a church tower
broadly : a whole church tower
steepled adjective

Illustration of steeple

Illustration of steeple

Examples of steeple in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Hardin said he got started as a teenager maintaining communication towers and now specializes in restoring old steeples and domes. Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2024 As bats fly by the building steeple, an unlit Christmas tree covered in cobwebs adorns the stage. Dave Quinn, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024 With its busy harbor and photogenic church steeples, Westport lies at the far end of the three big Rideau Lakes. Joe Yogerst, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024 Patrick Smith / Getty Images The event evolved in the 1800s as a race between two towns' church steeples that would traverse hedges and streams. NBC News, 8 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for steeple 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English stepel, from Old English stēpel tower; akin to Old English stēap steep

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of steeple was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near steeple

Cite this Entry

“Steeple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steeple. Accessed 9 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

steeple

noun
stee·​ple ˈstē-pəl How to pronounce steeple (audio)
1
: a tall structure usually having a small spire at the top and built on top of a church tower
2
: a church tower
steepled adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on steeple

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!