watchtower

noun

watch·​tow·​er ˈwäch-ˌtau̇(-ə)r How to pronounce watchtower (audio)
ˈwȯch-
: a tower for a lookout

Examples of watchtower in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Roni was assigned to the watchtower at Nahal Oz near the Gaza border on Oct. 7 when militants launched their surprise attack on Israel. NBC News, 18 Oct. 2024 The conductor’s cabin is just above, accessed via a tiny staircase, like a watchtower or a tree house. Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2024 Local officials built a landing pad for heavy-lift helicopters that transport water tanks and watchtowers for the forestry service. Madjid Serrah, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Sep. 2024 Suddenly, the towers’ tall shapes suggest familiar structures — buoys bobbing at sea, warning of hazardous shoals ahead; deep-sea oil rigging, pulling up the fluid that drives the industrial ruin of global warming; the watchtowers surveilling a prison or military installation. Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for watchtower 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'watchtower.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1544, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of watchtower was in 1544

Dictionary Entries Near watchtower

Cite this Entry

“Watchtower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/watchtower. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

watchtower

noun
watch·​tow·​er ˈwäch-ˌtau̇(-ə)r How to pronounce watchtower (audio)
ˈwȯch-
: a tower for a lookout

More from Merriam-Webster on watchtower

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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