tower

UK: /ˈtaʊə^r/

US: /ˈtaʊɚ/

US: (Structure tou′ər; tō′ər for towing)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

tow•er¹ /ˈtaʊɚ/   n. 

[countable]
1. Building a building higher than it is wide, either standing alone or forming part of a building:
   a television tower.
2. such a structure used as a stronghold, prison, etc.

v. [no object]

3. to rise or extend far upward or above, as a tower:
   The mountains towered above us.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

tow•er¹  (tou′ər), n. 

1. a building or structure high in proportion to its lateral dimensions, either isolated or forming part of a building.
2. such a structure used as or intended for a stronghold, fortress, prison, etc.
3. any of various fully enclosed fireproof housings for vertical communications, as staircases, between the stories of a building.
4. any structure, contrivance, or object that resembles or suggests a tower.
5. a tall, movable structure used in ancient and medieval warfare in storming a fortified place.
6. Computing a vertical case designed to house a computer system standing on the floor.
7. [Aviation.] See control tower.
8. tower of strength, a person who can be relied on for support, aid, or comfort, esp. in times of difficulty.

v.i. 

9. to rise or extend far upward, as a tower;
   reach or stand high:
   The skyscraper towers above the city.
10. to rise above or surpass others:
    She towers above the other students.
11. [Falconry.] (of a hawk) to rise straight into the air;
    to ring up.

• Latin turris, as above; (verb, verbal) late Middle English touren, derivative of the noun, nominal
• Greek týrris, variant of týrsis tower; Middle English tor perh. in some cases continuing Old English torr
• Latin turris
• Old French
• (noun, nominal) Middle English tour, earlier tur, tor bef. 900

tow ′er•less, adj. 
tow ′er•like′, adj. 

tow•er²  (tō′ər), n. 

1. a person or thing that tows.

• tow¹ + -er¹ 1485–95

tower,¹ +n. 

1. Computing a vertical case designed to house a computer system standing on the floor.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

tower / ˈtaʊə/ noun

1. a tall, usually square or circular structure, sometimes part of a larger building and usually built for a specific purpose: a church tower, a control tower
2. a place of defence or retreat
3. a mobile structure used in medieval warfare to attack a castle, etc
4. tower of strength ⇒ a person who gives support, comfort, etc

verb

1. (intransitive) to be or rise like a tower; loom

Etymology: 12th Century: from Old French tur, from Latin turris, from Greek