Etymology Map
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Tower

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a tall, narrow building or part of a building

Where does the word "tower" come from? It comes from Latin turris, passing through Old French before entering English (1100s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
turris
Latin · ancient
"tower"
probably borrowed from an older Mediterranean language, akin to Greek 'tyrsis'
2
Stage 2 of 3
tur
Old French · medieval
"tower"
reinforced an earlier Old English borrowing, 'torr'
3
Stage 3 of 3
tower
English · 1100s
"a tall, narrow building"
the Tower of London, begun by William the Conqueror, made the word synonymous with royal power
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Read the full story

Tower’s story begins in Latin: turris meant “tower.” Probably borrowed from an older Mediterranean language, akin to Greek 'tyrsis'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as tur. Reinforced an earlier Old English borrowing, 'torr'. It reached English by 1100s as tower. The Tower of London, begun by William the Conqueror, made the word synonymous with royal power. Today, tower means a tall, narrow building or part of a building.