tower
1 Americannoun
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a building or structure high in proportion to its lateral dimensions, either isolated or forming part of a building.
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such a structure used as or intended for a stronghold, fortress, prison, etc.
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any of various fully enclosed fireproof housings for vertical communications, as staircases, between the stories of a building.
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any structure, contrivance, or object that resembles or suggests a tower.
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a tall, movable structure used in ancient and medieval warfare in storming a fortified place.
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Computers. a tall, vertical case with accessible horizontal drive bays, designed to house a computer system standing on a desk or floor.
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Aviation. control tower.
verb (used without object)
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to rise or extend far upward, as a tower; reach or stand high.
The skyscraper towers above the city.
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to rise above or surpass others.
She towers above the other students.
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Falconry. (of a hawk) to rise straight into the air; to ring up.
idioms
noun
noun
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a tall, usually square or circular structure, sometimes part of a larger building and usually built for a specific purpose
a church tower
a control tower
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a place of defence or retreat
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a mobile structure used in medieval warfare to attack a castle, etc
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a person who gives support, comfort, etc
verb
Other Word Forms
- towerless adjective
- towerlike adjective
Etymology
Origin of tower1
First recorded before 900; Middle English noun tour, earlier tur, tor, from Old French tur, tor, from Latin turris, from Greek týrris, variant of týrsis “tower”; Middle English tor perhaps continuing Old English torr, from Latin turris, as above
Origin of tower2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Our walkable downtown concentrates residential high-rises, office towers, restaurants and shops.
The combined cost of the RSA headquarters office tower in Mobile and the renovation of the hotel—hailed as a showpiece for the convention market—was $162 million.
Earlier this week, the US space agency rolled back its towering SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft off the launchpad to investigate its problems and make necessary repairs.
From Barron's
Bigger, elevated stages can accommodate multiple performers for extended discussions in front of small audiences, with towering screens behind them to set the mood or illustrate products.
From Los Angeles Times
Far away, its parents, towering more than 40 feet tall, continue their lives with no direct involvement in the youngster's daily survival.
From Science Daily
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
