watchtower

American

[woch-tou-er] / ˈwɒtʃˌtaʊ ər /

noun

a tower on which a sentinel keeps watch.

watchtower British

/ ˈwɒtʃˌtaʊə /

noun

a tower on which a sentry keeps watch

"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

Etymology

Origin of watchtower

First recorded in 1535–45; watch + tower ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It is effectively a watchtower or control tower for all your data.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

It was followed by the watchtower and an electricity pole.

From BBC • Dec. 25, 2024

Settlers soon installed a camera on a watchtower on the edge of Shilo, about 60 feet from his home.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2024

There’s still a watchtower overlooking everything that we do.

From Slate • Dec. 13, 2023

“King Stannis has taken the watchtower for his seat. Ser Clayton will be pleased to show you to him, I’m sure.”

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023