steeple

[ stee-puhl ]

noun

1. an ornamental construction, usually ending in a spire, erected on a roof or tower of a church, public building, etc.
2. a tower terminating in such a construction.
3. (loosely) a spire.

verb (used with object)

, stee·pled, stee·pling.

1. to provide with or form into a steeple or steeplelike configuration.

steeple

/ ˈstiːpəl /

noun

1. a tall ornamental tower that forms the superstructure of a church, temple, etc
2. such a tower with the spire above it
3. any spire or pointed structure

Derived Forms

• ˈsteepled, adjective

Other Words From

• steepled adjective
• steeple·less adjective
• steeple·like adjective
• un·steepled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of steeple¹

before 1000; Middle English stepel steeple, tower, Old English stēpel tower. See steep ¹, -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of steeple¹

Old English stēpel; see steep ¹

Example Sentences

About a century later, the sport was adapted for purely human use in Britain, with athletes running from town to town, steeple to steeple, while surmounting the obstacles without the assistance of a horse.

From Washington Post

There were creeks for fresh water and floodwrack for firewood and the woods so thick you could practically sleep within sight of a church steeple or police station and no one would know.

From Outside Online

The tallest building in the town where I grew up might have been three stories—the church steeple probably was the tallest thing.

From The Daily Beast

From the top of the Church steeple, the highest point in this prefabricated settlement, I could only gawk at the carnage below.

From The Daily Beast

Note to Wall Street tourists: If you need to pee, look for the steeple.

From The Daily Beast

They walked along the track, picking out a church steeple here and there, forgetting for a moment the object of their search.

From Project Gutenberg

Before mounting to his bed in the steeple, he went to offer a pious prayer to the Lady of Le Puy.

From Project Gutenberg

It has a very churchly look, and if the steeple were at the other end, it would be equally orthodox.

From Project Gutenberg

The original design includes a beautiful steeple, surmounted with pinnacles; but want of funds precludes its erection.

From Project Gutenberg

It is near the western edge of the village of Greenough, the gilt cupola of whose eminent steeple is noted by far-passing ships.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cupola
• minaret
• spire
• turret