noun
C2
Proficient
spire
speye-uh
Spire (noun) means a tall, tapering structure that rises to a point, especially on top of a church tower. Example: “The cathedral's spire could be seen for miles.”
noun
1
A tall, tapering structure that rises to a point, especially on top of a church tower.
"The spire of the church rose high above the town."
"The cathedral's spire could be seen for miles."
How to use spire
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe tall pointed top of a building, especially a church.
Common pairings
church spire
a soaring spire
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Word forms
- Plural
- spires
- Third person singular
- spires
- Past tense
- spired
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The cathedral's _____ could be seen for miles.
Etymology
From Old English spīr, meaning a sharp point, tip, or plant stalk.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for spire
See all rhymes for spire →Frequently asked questions
What does “spire” mean?
The word “spire” means a tall, tapering structure that rises to a point, especially on top of a church tower. In plain terms, the tall pointed top of a building, especially a church.
How do you pronounce “spire”?
“Spire” is pronounced speye-uh (/ˈspaɪ.ɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “spire” in a sentence?
Here is “spire” used in a sentence: “The cathedral's spire could be seen for miles.”
What part of speech is “spire”?
“Spire” is a noun.
Where does the word “spire” come from?
The word “spire” comes from Old English. From Old English spīr, meaning a sharp point, tip, or plant stalk.
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