tower Hear it!

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tower1 definition

tower (to̵u′ər)

noun

  1. a building or structure that is relatively high for its length and width, either standing alone or forming part of another building
  2. such a structure used as a fortress or prison
  3. a person or thing that resembles a tower in height, strength, dominance, etc.

Etymology: ME tour, tur < OE torr & OFr tur, both < L turris, a tower; akin to Gr tyrsis, fortified city

intransitive verb

to rise high or stand high like a tower
tower2 definition

tower (tō′ər)

noun

a person or thing that tows

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms tower idiom

tower Synonyms

tower

n.

spire, mast, steeple, campanile, dungeon, keep, bell tower, keep, belfry, monolith, radio tower, lookout tower, skyscraper, obelisk, pillar, column, minaret, fleche (French), tourelle (French); see also turret.


tower

v.

look over, extend above, mount; see overlook 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

tower Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • twin: Note bow fronted offices & opposite twin towers of malt house.

Converse of object

  • con: Shot is bang on the wreck, on the edge of the conning tower, opposite side to the picture below.

Converse of subject

  • surmount: The landscape is dominated by Glastonbury's conical hill, the Tor, surmounted by a church tower.

Modifies a noun

  • crane: In addition piles were driven for a temporary working platform to support a tower crane for Dean & Dyball to build the superstructure.

Noun used with modifier

  • ivory: No towering gothic castle either, nor ivory tower, nor writer's garret.
tower usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

tower quotes

   Brave men are a city's strongest tower of defence.

-Alcaeus

The name of the L is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

-Bible (Old Testament)

   Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves'eyes within thy locks: thy hair is as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead. Thy teeth are like a flockof sheep that are evenshorn, whichcameup from the washing; whereof every one bear twins, and none is barren among them. Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech is comely: thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate within thy locks. Thy neck is like the tower of David builded for an armoury, whereon there hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men. Thy two breasts are liketwo young roesthat aretwins, which feed among the lilies.Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and tothehill of frankincense.Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee.

-Bible (Old Testament)

tower quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"tower." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/tower>

APA Style

tower. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/tower

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