definitions

tower

1
[ tou-er ]
/ ˈtaʊ ər /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR tower ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

verb (used without object)

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RELATED WORDS

stronghold, lookout, fortification, belfry, skyscraper, column, pillar, spire, mast, keep, turret, obelisk, refuge, steeple, monolith, castle, citadel, fortress, fort, minaret

Nearby words

towel rack, towel rail, towelette, toweling, towelling, tower, tower block, tower bolt, tower crane, tower hamlets, tower of babel

Idioms

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

Origin of tower

1
before 900; (noun) Middle English tour, earlier tur, tor < Old French < Latin turris < Greek týrris, variant of týrsis tower; Middle English tor perhaps in some cases continuing Old English torr < Latin turris, as above; (v.) late Middle English touren, derivative of the noun

Related forms

tow·er·less, adjectivetow·er·like, adjective

Definition for tower (2 of 3)

tower

2
[ toh-er ]
/ ˈtoʊ ər /

noun

a person or thing that tows.

Origin of tower

2
First recorded in 1485–95; tow1 + -er1

Definition for tower (3 of 3)

tow

2
[ toh ]
/ toʊ /

noun

the fiber of flax, hemp, or jute prepared for spinning by scutching.
the shorter, less desirable flax fibers separated from line fibers in hackling.
synthetic filaments prior to spinning.

adjective

made of tow.

Origin of tow

2
1300–50; Middle English; Old English tōw- (in tōwlīc pertaining to thread, tōwhūs spinning house); akin to Old Norse tō wool
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for tower

British Dictionary definitions for tower (1 of 3)

tower

/ (ˈtaʊə) /

noun

a tall, usually square or circular structure, sometimes part of a larger building and usually built for a specific purposea church tower; a control tower
a place of defence or retreat
a mobile structure used in medieval warfare to attack a castle, etc
tower of strength a person who gives support, comfort, etc

verb

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

Word Origin for tower

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

British Dictionary definitions for tower (2 of 3)

tow

1
/ (təʊ) /

verb

(tr) to pull or drag (a vehicle, boat, etc), esp by means of a rope or cable

noun

Derived Forms

towable, adjective

Word Origin for tow

Old English togian; related to Old Frisian togia, Old Norse toga, Old High German zogōn

British Dictionary definitions for tower (3 of 3)

tow

2
/ (təʊ) /

noun

the fibres of hemp, flax, jute, etc, in the scutched state
synthetic fibres preparatory to spinning
the coarser fibres discarded after combing

Derived Forms

towy, adjective

Word Origin for tow

Old English tōw; related to Old Saxon tou, Old Norse tō tuft of wool, Dutch touwen to spin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with tower (1 of 2)

tower

In addition to the idiom beginning with tower

  • tower of strength

also see:

  • ivory tower

Idioms and Phrases with tower (2 of 2)

tow

see in tow.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.