tower

¹

[ tou-er ]

noun

1. a building or structure high in proportion to its lateral dimensions, either isolated or forming part of a building.
2. such a structure used as or intended for a stronghold, fortress, prison, etc.
3. any of various fully enclosed fireproof housings for vertical communications, as staircases, between the stories of a building.
4. any structure, contrivance, or object that resembles or suggests a tower.
5. a tall, movable structure used in ancient and medieval warfare in storming a fortified place.
6. Computers. a tall, vertical case with accessible horizontal drive bays, designed to house a computer system standing on a desk or floor. Compare minitower.
7. Aviation. control tower.

verb (used without object)

1. to rise or extend far upward, as a tower; reach or stand high:

   The skyscraper towers above the city.

2. to rise above or surpass others:

   She towers above the other students.

3. Falconry. (of a hawk) to rise straight into the air; to ring up.

tower

²

[ toh-er ]

noun

1. a person or thing that tows.

tower

/ ˈtaʊə /

noun

1. 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

2. a place of defence or retreat
3. a mobile structure used in medieval warfare to attack a castle, etc
4. tower of strength
   a person who gives support, comfort, etc

verb

1. intr to be or rise like a tower; loom

Other Words From

• tower·less adjective
• tower·like adjective

Word History and Origins

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

First recorded in 1485–95; tow ¹ + -er ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of tower¹

C12: from Old French tur, from Latin turris, from Greek

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. tower of strength, a person who can be relied on for support, aid, or comfort, especially in times of difficulty.

More idioms and phrases containing tower

In addition to the idiom beginning with tower , also see ivory tower

Example Sentences

They held meetings in Trump Tower in New York to vet candidates and policies in a more or less formal atmosphere.

From Salon

In total, fifteen Together At Christmas services will take place around the country, including at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro and Blackpool Tower Circus.

From BBC

Dozens of other councils including Tower Hamlets, Cannock Chase, North West Leicestershire, Kirklees, Torbay, Haringey, and Havant either require or strongly encourage venues to implement the scheme as part of their licensing conditions.

From BBC

I put on my old Army trench coat and boots and, as I have on many days, and especially in these monumental moments, I made my pilgrimage to Trump Tower in downtown Chicago.

From Salon

They told me that my trips to Trump Tower are a reasonable and positive response to extreme danger and stress because, unlike others, I am making Trump and Trumpism into something tangible so I can manage my feelings and do my work properly.

From Salon