tower

noun tow·er \ ˈtau̇(-ə)r \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

Definition of tower

1 : a building or structure typically higher than its diameter and high relative to its surroundings that may stand apart (such as a campanile) or be attached (such as a church belfry) to a larger structure and that may be fully walled in or of skeleton framework (such as an observation or transmission tower)

2 : a towering citadel : fortress

3 : one that provides support or protection : bulwark

a tower of strength

4 : a personal computer case that stands in an upright position

—

towered

play \ˈtau̇(-ə)rd\ adjective

—

towerlike

play \ˈtau̇(-ə)r-ˌlīk\ adjective

See tower defined for English-language learners

See tower defined for kids

Examples of tower in a Sentence

a hill from which one can gaze upon the towers of that great and historic city

Recent Examples of tower from the Web

The last recession torpedoed plans for what would have been the tallest tower in the city, the Chicago Spire.

— ryan ori, chicagotribune.com, "Will Tribune Tower redevelopment hit deadlines?," 17 Apr. 2018
Kairoi took over the projects Lynd was working on at his father’s company, including the tower in Austin.

— richard webner, San Antonio Express-News, "Texas Power Broker Lynd builds skyscrapers, apartments across the U.S.," 16 Apr. 2018
The developer has shared new images with a city design review panel, showing off a 690-foot building that almost looks like two distinct towers in the heart of the Financial District.

— BostonGlobe.com, "The week in business," 14 Apr. 2018
Walmart installed a tower in its Arbutus store last summer.

— lorraine mirabella, baltimoresun.com, "Walmart plans $28 million in upgrades to Maryland stores," 11 Apr. 2018
During the campaign, he was involved with a plan to help the Trump Organization build a tower in Moscow and in October 2016 brought Trump a letter of intent from a Russian developer.

— Washington Post, "FBI raids cast spotlight on Michael Cohen, Trump’s fixer," 11 Apr. 2018
There are cell phone towers in this area and outside of town.

— vanesa brashier, Houston Chronicle, "Cleveland fire leads to questions about 911 system," 5 Apr. 2018
The only exception taken to the designs was a request by Design Review Board members to include illustrations of communications towers in the Mt. Woodson design to replicate the real scene.

— julie gallant, Ramona Sentinel, "Board approves utility box designs, critiques alley potholes," 4 Apr. 2018
But financing for a third $800 million project, two towers across the Hudson River in suburban New Jersey, has been delayed by yet more questions arising from the family’s White House connections.

— sharon lafraniere and katie benner, New York Times, "The Kushners Saw Redemption in the White House. It Was a Mirage.," 1 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tower.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of tower

Middle English tour, tor, from Old English torr & Anglo-French tur, tour, both from Latin turris, from Greek tyrris, tyrsis

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

tower Synonyms

Synonyms

cathedral, edifice, hall, palace;

Related Words

construction, erection, structure;

castle, château, countryseat, estate, hacienda, manor, manor house, mansion, showplace, villa;

mausoleum, memorial, monument;

tower

verb

Definition of tower

intransitive verb

1 : to reach or rise to a great height

2 : to exhibit superior qualities : surpass

her intellect towered over the others'

See tower defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of tower from the Web

The hope is that soon, on either side of a new path where the tracks used to be, shops, businesses, and residences will tower above any of the town’s current buildings.

— jen fifield, The Christian Science Monitor, "Promise of outdoor activities pulls new residents to rural areas," 19 Apr. 2018
With the striking Victoria Glacier towering above it, it’s breathtaking at every turn.

— jennifer franklin, USA TODAY, "What to do and see at these iconic Canadian Rockies destinations," 16 Apr. 2018
That would be Act III of this great play, in which many of the dead in the cemetery on a hill are perched alone atop scenic designer Scott Davis’ towering rolling staircases, evoking life’s lonely and pointless climb toward nowhere.

— mike fischer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Milwaukee Rep delivers darkness on the edge of 'Our Town'," 14 Apr. 2018
The cast featured several eccentric designers in its rotation, but there was one whose reputation as a provocateur towered above the rest.

— michael ward, Curbed, "‘Trading Spaces’ and finding an unlikely queer icon in Hildi Santo-Tomas," 5 Apr. 2018
Back when her dad drove that Lincoln and her mom drove a black Cadillac with fins, the Golden Gate Bridge towering above was just a quarter-century old.

— San Francisco Chronicle, "The San Francisco of Angela Alioto’s memories was an incredible place.," 30 Mar. 2018
Their only other encounter came in the 1967 title match in Syracuse where Cornell claimed its first crown by a 4-1 count behind towering tender Ken Dryden.

— john powers and frank dell’apa, BostonGlobe.com, "Regional No. 1 seeds have tough time in opening games," 25 Mar. 2018
During the president’s visit, Chiu, the artist, tried to tower above the fence, too.

— rebecca plevin, azcentral, "From Mexico, the idea of a wall towers over the realities of border life," 14 Mar. 2018
Continuing south, there is 525 West 52nd Street, a two-towered complex from Taconic Investment Partners and Mitsui Fudosan America, with 392 apartments, including market-rate and affordable units.

— c. j. hughes, New York Times, "The Western Edge of Hell’s Kitchen Goes Residential," 26 Jan. 2018

First Known Use of tower

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

TOWER Defined for English Language Learners

tower

noun

Definition of tower for English Language Learners

: a tall, narrow building or structure that may stand apart from or be attached to another building or structure
: a tall piece of furniture used to store something
computers : a personal computer that stands in an upright position

TOWER Defined for Kids

tower

noun tow·er \ ˈtau̇-ər \

Definition of tower for Students

: a building or structure that is higher than its length or width, is higher than most of what surrounds it, and may stand by itself or be attached to a larger structure