¹tower

noun tow·er \ˈtau̇(-ə)r\

: a tall, narrow building or structure that may stand apart from or be attached to another building or structure

: a tall piece of furniture used to store something

computers : a personal computer that stands in an upright position

Full Definition of TOWER

: a building or structure typically higher than its diameter and high relative to its surroundings that may stand apart (as a campanile) or be attached (as a church belfry) to a larger structure and that may be fully walled in or of skeleton framework (as an observation or transmission tower)

: a towering citadel : fortress

: one that provides support or protection : bulwark <a tower of strength>

: a personal computer case that stands in an upright position

— tow·ered \ˈtau̇(-ə)rd\ adjective

— tow·er·like \ˈtau̇(-ə)r-ˌlīk\ adjective

See tower defined for English-language learners

See tower defined for kids

Origin of TOWER

Middle English tour, tor, from Old English torr & Anglo-French tur, tour, both from Latin turris, from Greek tyrris, tyrsis

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to TOWER

Synonyms: cathedral, hall, palace, edifice

²tower

intransitive verb

Definition of TOWER

: to reach or rise to a great height

: to exhibit superior qualities : surpass <her intellect towered over the others'>

First Known Use of TOWER

15th century

Rhymes with TOWER

bower, dower, flour, flower, glower, lower, power, scour, shower, sour, Stour, tour

TOWER Defined for Kids

¹tower

noun tow·er \ˈtau̇-ər\

Definition of TOWER for Kids

: a building or structure that is higher than its length or width, is higher than most of what surrounds it, and may stand by itself or be attached to a larger structure