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.

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. a person who gives support, comfort, etc

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• towerless adjective
• towerlike 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

• ivory tower

Example Sentences

The latest shortfall happened Wednesday afternoon when not enough workers showed up at Reagan Washington National Airport’s air-traffic control tower, prompting delays in the nation’s capital.

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It’s a verdant thicket of spindly branches that towers over a straw-hatted man in the shadow below, no doubt seeking respite from the heat.

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The particle accelerator towered over this Pittsburgh suburb built to house Westinghouse workers, and was a symbol of innovation for the company and region.

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However, the new spectrum rights would significantly improve Starlink’s ability to connect with cellphones in remote areas beyond the reach of cellphone towers.

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But the charm is that they are surrounded by towering, elevator-less 1980s apartment buildings, where people hang clothes to dry in metal window cages.

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