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
ˈstē-pəld How to pronounce steeple (audio)
adjective

Illustration of steeple

Illustration of steeple

Examples of steeple in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Cranes outnumber church steeples some weeks. — Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2026 Scream and drop a lantern if your steeple reveals itself to be haunted. — Evan Allgood, New Yorker, 1 July 2026 Dramatic video shows the moment the steeple collapsed. — Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 19 June 2026 In the early scenes, the film portrays Nuremberg from the sky, the streets and steeples emerging from the clouds. — Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for steeple

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

Rhymes for steeple

See All Rhymes for steeple

Browse Nearby Words

steepish
steeple
steeplebush
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Steeple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steeple. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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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
-pəld How to pronounce steeple (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on steeple

Nglish: Translation of steeple for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about steeple

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