steeple

noun

stee·​ple ˈstē-pəl 

: a tall structure usually having a small spire at the top and surmounting a church tower

broadly : a whole church tower

steepled

ˈstē-pəld 

adjective

Illustration of steeple

Examples of steeple in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Among them were greater-than-anticipated plaster damage and structural deterioration in the steeple, which required additional work and time, the pastor said. —Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026

Now, the First Church of Christ has a plan to restore the steeple, a plan with a goal to keep it high above the town of Wethersfield for several more generations. —Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 17 Mar. 2026

Its steeple was a beacon for freedom seekers escaping slavery in Kentucky, located just across the Ohio River. —Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 19 Feb. 2026

The urge to tame big corporate landlords is bubbling over among locals in woodsy Paulding County, Georgia, an Atlanta exurb where church steeples and old graveyards punctuate the rolling hills, and an 18-foot fiberglass Wonder Woman waves at drivers. —Bloomberg, Oc Register, 10 Feb. 2026

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

Rhymes for steeple

• businesspeople
• craftspeople
• laypeople
• salespeople
• townspeople
• tradespeople
• workpeople
• people

Kids Definition

steeple

noun

stee·​ple ˈstē-pəl 

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

-pəld 

adjective