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Added 9 October 2026

tower

/ˈtaʊ.ə(ɹ)/ noun

In Latin: turris Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about tower at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building.
Anything that approximates the shape of a column or tower.
the test tube held a column of white powder
A powerful small boat designed to pull or push larger ships.

verb

Appear very large or occupy a commanding position.
The huge sculpture predominates over the fountain

Origin

From Middle English tour, tur, tor, from Old English tūr, tor, torr ("tower; rock"; > English tor) and Old French tour, toer, tor; both from Latin turris (“a tower”), Ancient Greek τύρρις (túrrhis) (Hesychius), τύρσις (túrsis). Displaced native Middle English stepel for the general sense of "tower". Compare Scots tour, towr, towre (“tower”), West Frisian toer (“tower”), Dutch toren (“tower”), German Turm (“tower”), Danish tårn (“tower”), Swedish torn (“tower”), Icelandic turn (“tower”), Welsh tŵr. Doublet of tor, tourelle, and turret.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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