ivory tower
noun
1
: an impractical often escapist attitude marked by aloof lack of concern with or interest in practical matters or urgent problems
2
: a secluded place that affords the means of treating practical issues with an impractical often escapist attitude
especially
: a place of learning
Examples of ivory tower in a Sentence
The book was written by some college professor who's spent her entire professional life in an ivory tower.
Recent Examples on the Web
In Latest Survey With Race Nearly Tied Northern Lights And Comet Tonight: These States May See Aurora Display
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Marcus and Blank were clear in Built from Scratch: leaders should avoid retreating into an ivory tower.
—
Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
It’s marketed as the work of America-hating academics in ivory towers, who seek to demoralize and indoctrinate young minds into thinking their nation is irredeemably racist.
—Theodore R. Johnson, Washington Post, 27 June 2024
Far from remaining confined to the ivory tower, this conceptual framework has long guided official thinking.
—Manjari Chatterjee Miller, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2024
Even colleges and universities, which have been viewed as ivory towers of relative harmony, until recently, have come in for assault.
—Kenneth S. Birnbaum, Baltimore Sun, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for ivory tower 
Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
It’s marketed as the work of America-hating academics in ivory towers, who seek to demoralize and indoctrinate young minds into thinking their nation is irredeemably racist.
—Theodore R. Johnson, Washington Post, 27 June 2024
Far from remaining confined to the ivory tower, this conceptual framework has long guided official thinking.
—Manjari Chatterjee Miller, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2024
Even colleges and universities, which have been viewed as ivory towers of relative harmony, until recently, have come in for assault.
—Kenneth S. Birnbaum, Baltimore Sun, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for ivory tower
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ivory tower.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Ivory tower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ivory%20tower. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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