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

Dearborn has often been slandered for simply coexisting peacefully, because the truth is, some people are uncomfortable, and frankly upset about seeing church steeples and mosque domes share the same skyline on roads. —Niraj Warikoo, Freep.com, 24 Sep. 2025

Blessed Virgin of Pompeii was built in 1904; it was known for the pink bricks it was built from and the statue of an angel that stood watch atop its steeple. —Chris Foran, jsonline.com, 31 July 2025

What observers zipping by on Burnet Road often fail to notice is the white steeple above the gabled roof. —Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 21 July 2025

Small shrines and steeples loom over its streets, which straddle a hilltop overlooking a pastoral expanse of olive orchards. —Matt Bradley, NBC news, 18 July 2025

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