tower

1 of 2

noun

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)

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

ˈtau̇(-ə)rd 

adjective

towerlike

ˈtau̇(-ə)r-ˌlīk 

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'

Synonyms of tower

Noun

• cathedral
• edifice
• palace
• structure
• hall

Verb

• exceed
• surpass
• top
• eclipse
• better

Examples of tower in a Sentence

Noun

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

Verb

that actor's performance towered over all others in the film

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For the first time, a skeleton of metal, rather than walls of masonry, formed the main supporting material for a large commercial tower. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026

Within a few seconds, the 408-foot-tall (124-meter) rocket, the largest ever built, cleared the launch tower and turned onto an eastward heading over the Gulf of Mexico. —Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 23 May 2026

Verb

Over much of the past two decades in China, units that easily go beyond 1,000 square feet in the towering apartment blocks of exclusive districts sold out fast. —Chris Lau, CNN Money, 18 May 2026

The shoes stand tall on a towering heel measuring around four inches. —Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 18 May 2026

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

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tower

• bower
• cower
• dour
• flour
• flower
• fower
• glower
• hour
• our
• power
• scour
• shower

Kids 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

: citadel sense 1

towered

ˈtau̇(-ə)rd 

adjective

tower

2 of 2 verb

: to reach or rise to a great height