ivory tower
noun
1
: an impractical often escapist attitude marked by aloof lack of concern with or interest in practical matters or urgent problems
2
: a secluded place that affords the means of treating practical issues with an impractical often escapist attitude
especially
: a place of learning
Examples of ivory tower in a Sentence
The book was written by some college professor who's spent her entire professional life in an ivory tower.
Recent Examples on the Web
Science, technology, engineering, and math experts must broadly engage and move beyond the comfort zones of the ivory tower.
—
Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Protests not just under threat at colleges The increasing commitment to crack down on protests doesn’t just appear directed at ivory towers.
—Andy Rose, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025
In his 1938 argument for the necessity of ivory towers, E. M. Forster cited tower inhabitants Marcus Aurelius, Machiavelli, John Milton, and Karl Marx.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 4 Jan. 2025
There’s a reason that ideas from the progressive ivory tower need to be tested.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ivory tower
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Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Protests not just under threat at colleges The increasing commitment to crack down on protests doesn’t just appear directed at ivory towers.
—Andy Rose, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025
In his 1938 argument for the necessity of ivory towers, E. M. Forster cited tower inhabitants Marcus Aurelius, Machiavelli, John Milton, and Karl Marx.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 4 Jan. 2025
There’s a reason that ideas from the progressive ivory tower need to be tested.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ivory tower
Cite this Entry
“Ivory tower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ivory%20tower. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
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