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.
Police arrested a man in connection to a June Bushwick church fire that collapsed its iconic steeple. — Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026 Chopper 2 The fire grew to three alarms, engulfing the entire building and eventually causing the steeple to collapse. — Adi Guajardo, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026 The fire left the house of worship a gutted ruin, and the flames caused its steeple to collapse. — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2026 Scream and drop a lantern if your steeple reveals itself to be haunted. — Evan Allgood, New Yorker, 1 July 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 14 Aug. 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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