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definitions

towerman

[tou-er-muh n]
noun, plural tow·er·men.
  1. Railroads. a person who works in a switch tower and, by means of a signal box, directs the movement of trains.
  2. Aviation. an air-traffic controller.

Origin of towerman

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95; tower1 + -man
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for towerman

Historical Examples of towerman

  • The towerman nodded, beckoned Bartley aside and made some explanations to him.

  • The towerman had just been relieved from duty, and met Ralph with eager welcome as he was approaching the place.

    Ralph on the Engine

    Allen Chapman

  • The point of convergence is known to the towerman and all the other workers as the “throat” of the yard.

    The Modern Railroad

    Edward Hungerford

  • If the towerman set those switches and signals 319 times in the course of a day, they must be set absolutely correct 319 times.

    The Modern Railroad

    Edward Hungerford

  • But the towerman at Middleport said that he could not move the siding-switch there; it was packed in with ice and snow.

    The Modern Railroad

    Edward Hungerford