A large tank of water, in an elevated position, acting as a local reservoir; water is pumped into the tank and fed by gravity to the consumers.

(biblical) A tower erected at Babel by the descendants of Noah's son Ham to reach the sky, and whose completion God thwarted by making the workers speak different languages so that they were unable to understand one another.

A riverside fortress in London, used as a palace, a prison and now a museum housing the Crown Jewels.

(figuratively) A situation where the use of many different languages is a source of confusion.

(idiomatic) A sheltered, overly-academic existence or perspective, implying a disconnection or lack of awareness of reality or practical considerations.

Separated from reality and practical matters; overly academic.

(transitive) To be much tall or high than something; to loom over. / (transitive, figuratively) To be much greater or more important than.

The two main buildings of the World Trade Center, destroyed in terrorist attacks on 9/11, 2001.

(nautical) The armoured control tower of an early iron warship from which the ship was navigated in battle.

plural of ivory tower