steeple

noun

stee·​ple ˈstē-pəl How to pronounce steeple (audio)
: a tall structure usually having a small spire at the top and surmounting a church tower
broadly : a whole church tower
steepled adjective

Illustration of steeple

Illustration of steeple

Examples of steeple in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The steeple of this historic church is visible from the Kentucky side of the Ohio River. Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 9 Feb. 2024 El Paso’s historic Union Station, with its stately red-brick steeple, is an occasional Amtrak stop. Lauren Villagran, USA TODAY, 4 Jan. 2024 Buildings, trees, gaslights, fences and church steeples were covered by snow. Frederick N. Rasmussen, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2024 Not all temples have steeples Although the vast majority of Latter-day Saint temples have steeples or spires, there are a few that do not. Scott D. Pierce, The Salt Lake Tribune, 1 Aug. 2023 But after 25 to 30 years, the plant suddenly shoots a flower toward the sky, a towering, bright yellow steeple, the loudest flash of color for miles. Tucker Harris, Washington Post, 23 Jan. 2024 New Hampshire’s postcard image is of rural towns built around churches with picturesque white steeples. Tribune News Service, Hartford Courant, 16 Jan. 2024 His Alpha Male — inspired in part by angry men posting videos shot in their pick-ups — found his voice amid steeples and Blue Lives Matter flags. Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2023 In Tuesday’s meeting, a proposal to approve the plans — with the 85-foot steeple — and another proposal to reject it both failed on 3-3 ties. Scott D. Pierce, The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Aug. 2023

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English stepel, from Old English stēpel tower; akin to Old English stēap steep

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of steeple was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near steeple

Cite this Entry

“Steeple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steeple. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

steeple

noun
stee·​ple ˈstē-pəl How to pronounce steeple (audio)
1
: a tall structure usually having a small spire at the top and built on top of a church tower
2
: a church tower
steepled adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on steeple

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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