tower

1 of 2

noun

tow·​er ˈtau̇(-ə)r How to pronounce tower (audio)
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 adjective
towerlike adjective

tower

2 of 2

verb

towered; towering; towers

intransitive verb

1
: to reach or rise to a great height
2
: to exhibit superior qualities : surpass
her intellect towered over the others'

Examples of tower in a Sentence

Noun a hill from which one can gaze upon the towers of that great and historic city
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The streets near the cellphone tower at Northwest 13th Avenue and 29th Street, which were shut down to facilitate the rescue efforts, were reopened shortly after. Omar Rodríguez Ortiz, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024 Under the agreement, if feasible, Monumental would aim to build a new practice facility for the Wizards in the Gallery Place office tower — a neighboring retail center that has been half-vacant for months. Meagan Flynn, Washington Post, 2 Apr. 2024 But the Civic Center Revitalization solicitation, as it was called, failed to attract developer interest, save for two parties interested in the Ash Street tower. Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2024 The cups can be linked to make a caterpillar or built into a tall tower, providing children with hours of water fun at a super affordable price. Christin Perry, Parents, 29 Mar. 2024 The developers recently adjusted the timeline and sequencing order for District Detroit, making the residential tower next to the UMCI as one of its first projects. Detroit Free Press, 29 Mar. 2024 In January, the government and private companies tested an enhanced version of Loran on U.S. Coast Guard towers. Chris Buckley, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024 Graffiti tower debate shows Los Angeles’ contradictory relationship with street culture Graffiti in Los Angeles is a contentious subject. Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2024 The colorful pieces easily click together, so kids can harness the power of their imagination and create any number of things—from towers to castles to cars and more. Julie Evans, Parents, 22 Mar. 2024
Verb
And, in order to provide the all-glass house with more privacy from neighboring homes, the areas alongside the home were fortified with towering pines and other trees and plants that form a dense, verdant screen. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2024 Flower beds rolled into grass that descended into a grove of nearly two dozen trees lorded over by a towering 80-year-old oak. Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2024 Hidden by short grasses and rocks, this lizard has been isolated on the desert flatland for millions of years, cut off from others by towering peaks. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024 Between the resort’s wings was a half-moon pool surrounded by lush landscaping and towering palm trees. Rio Yamat, Quartz, 2 Apr. 2024 Not Star Wars–, Harry Potter–, or Barbie-themed but the rarest cacti and succulents, cycads with Jurassic bloodlines, towering prehistoric fern trees, dragon trees, bromeliads among Spanish moss, and so much more. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 30 Mar. 2024 Turning on a 1-1 sweeper from Tom Cosgrove — a lefty, to boot — Lee lifted a towering home run into the right field seats that would have been gone in all 30 ballparks, according to Statcast. Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2024 Unable to maneuver with its power gone, the Dali plowed forward, borne by its momentum, and slammed into one of the bridge’s support piers, collapsing the towering metal structure into the river. William Wan, Washington Post, 30 Mar. 2024 The crumbling settlement sat on a grassy promontory at the foot of a towering mountain. Susan Portnoy, Travel + Leisure, 29 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tower.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near tower

Cite this Entry

“Tower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tower. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

tower

1 of 2 noun
tow·​er ˈtau̇(-ə)r How to pronounce tower (audio)
1
: a tall narrow building or structure that may stand by itself or be attached to a larger structure
2
towered adjective

tower

2 of 2 verb
: to reach or rise to a great height

More from Merriam-Webster on tower

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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