water tower

American  

noun

1. a vertical pipe or tower into which water is pumped to a height sufficient to maintain a desired pressure for firefighting, distribution to customers, etc.

2. a fire-extinguishing apparatus for throwing a stream of water on the upper parts of a tall burning building.

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water tower British  

noun

1. a reservoir or storage tank mounted on a tower-like structure at the summit of an area of high ground in a place where the water pressure would otherwise be inadequate for distribution at a uniform pressure

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Etymology

Origin of water tower

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

“We did everything right,” said St. Clair Mayor Bill Cedar, who was part of an effort to woo Magna with tax breaks and the construction of a new water tower to supply the facility.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

The town of 2,000 also features a full Pusser museum, the Buford Pusser fairgrounds, a water tower with Buford’s image on it, and the Buford Pusser Highway.

From Slate • Nov. 6, 2025

On the hill before him, a water tower lay smashed and a cupola of a mosque was askew.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2025

She said Mr Gregory always wanted to convert either a water tower or chimney into a space to live.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2025

Nat and I look for three days straight near the northeast point by the water tower.

From "Al Capone Does My Shirts" by Gennifer Choldenko