tower

tow|er¹ W3S3 [ˈtauə US -ər] n

[Date: 1100-1200; : Old French; Origin: tor, tur, from Latin turris, from Greek tyrsis]

1.) a tall narrow building either built on its own or forming part of a castle, church etc

▪ the Eiffel Tower

▪ a castle with tall towers

bell/clock tower

▪ The bell tower was added to the church in 1848.

tower of

▪ the leaning tower of Pisa

2.) a tall structure, often made of metal, used for signalling, broadcasting etc

▪ an air traffic control tower

3.) tower of strength

someone who gives you a lot of help, sympathy, and support when you are in trouble

▪ Her father was a tower of strength to her when her marriage broke up.

4.) a tall piece of furniture that you use to store things

▪ a CD tower

→↑cooling tower, ↑ivory tower, ↑water tower

tower ²

tower² v [I]

1.) to be much taller than the people or things around you

tower above/over

▪ He towered over his mother.

2.) to be much better than any other person or organization that does the same thing as you

tower above/over

▪ Mozart towers over all other composers.