conning tower

noun

con·​ning tower ˈkä-niŋ- 

: a raised structure on the deck of a submarine used especially formerly for navigation and attack direction

Illustration of conning tower

Examples of conning tower in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The wind appeared to affect just one 3-point shot as the six-level conning tower and the scoreboard blocked most of the wind off the Pacific Ocean. —Bernie Wilson, ajc, 12 Nov. 2022

He was initially cast in action roles in the saddle, the racecar, the conning tower and the spaceship. —Adam Bernstein, Washington Post, 7 July 2022

The sub’s conning tower, where the periscope is located, is painted with Japanese flags representing its kills – and a cocktail glass representing the rescue of the Dutch submarine O-19. —Peter Krouse, cleveland, 15 June 2021

The vessel then begins to settle in the water, and as the process is continued, first the deck and then the conning tower go under water. —Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, 8 Apr. 2021

Soryu also has two dive planes mounted on the conning tower. —Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 9 Feb. 2021

The submarine suffered damaged to its sail, also known as a conning tower, where watchstanders are stationed and the periscope and antennas are located. —Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 9 Feb. 2021

The bomb hit aft of the Grayback’s conning tower and the sub sank with the loss of her 80-strong crew. —Fox News, 11 Nov. 2019

Survivors, however, reported sighting a submarine conning tower painted with a trotting red horse on a yellow shield. —Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 23 July 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

conning tower

noun

conn·​ing tower

ˈkän-iŋ-

: a raised structure on a submarine used especially for navigation and to direct attacks

Etymology

from earlier conn "to give directions for steering," probably from still earlier cond (same meaning), from Middle English condien, conduen "to conduct"