tow·er
ˈtau̇(-ə)r 
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)
3
: one that provides support or protection : bulwark
a tower of strength
4
: a personal computer case that stands in an upright position
towered; towering; towers
1
: to reach or rise to a great height
2
: to exhibit superior qualities : surpass
her intellect towered over the others'
Synonyms
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
Eric Ravenscraft, WIRED, 15 Apr. 2024
The project’s first phase includes the medical school and a research tower.
—Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2024
Meanwhile, the mayor’s plan to remake the office tower into an affordable housing destination has fizzled.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2024
The mayor grew up in a building so decrepit — filthy hallways, no private toilets, no showers — that his friends in nearby concrete towers pitied him.
—Catherine Porter, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024
The 7,100 square foot apartment, located in the tony One Madison tower 23 E. 22nd St. in Manhattan, spans the 58th, 59th and 60th floors, the building's top three levels.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2024
Then, turn it into a castle tower complete with a real catapult that launches Lego bricks.
—Alida Nugent, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
The series, about a lovable ogre (Mike Myers) who is forced to save a princess (Cameron Diaz) from a locked tower, has spawned two spinoffs, three sequels, a musical adaptation, a Universal Studios ride, a bootleg internet reboot, and countless horny memes.
—Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2024
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
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
Noun
Inside, there’s space for a monitor, a keyboard tray, a spot to mount a desktop tower, and even space to tuck away a chair.
—Eric Ravenscraft, WIRED, 15 Apr. 2024
The project’s first phase includes the medical school and a research tower.
—Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2024
Meanwhile, the mayor’s plan to remake the office tower into an affordable housing destination has fizzled.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2024
The mayor grew up in a building so decrepit — filthy hallways, no private toilets, no showers — that his friends in nearby concrete towers pitied him.
—Catherine Porter, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024
The 7,100 square foot apartment, located in the tony One Madison tower 23 E. 22nd St. in Manhattan, spans the 58th, 59th and 60th floors, the building's top three levels.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2024
Then, turn it into a castle tower complete with a real catapult that launches Lego bricks.
—Alida Nugent, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
The series, about a lovable ogre (Mike Myers) who is forced to save a princess (Cameron Diaz) from a locked tower, has spawned two spinoffs, three sequels, a musical adaptation, a Universal Studios ride, a bootleg internet reboot, and countless horny memes.
—Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2024
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
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.
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Cite this Entry
“Tower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tower. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tower
1 of 2 noun
tow·er
ˈtau̇(-ə)r
1
: a tall narrow building or structure that may stand by itself or be attached to a larger structure
2
tower
2 of 2 verb
: to reach or rise to a great height
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