high-rise

1 of 2

adjective

ˈhī-ˈrīz 

1

: being multistory and equipped with elevators

high-rise apartments

2

: of, relating to, or characterized by high-rise buildings

a high-rise complex

3

: having a longer than standard rise (see rise entry 2 sense 7)

high-rise jeans

There are boxer shorts, low-rise briefs, high-rise briefs, … and colors galore.

—Nancy Lawson

high-rise

2 of 2

noun

ˈhī-ˌrīz 

variants or less commonly high rise

plural high-rises also high rises

: a building (such as an apartment building) that has multiple stories and is equipped with elevators

They live on the tenth floor of a high-rise.

Examples of high-rise in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

This San Carlos Embroidered Linen Blend Mini Skirt has a high-rise fit and is made from mostly linen for a soft, lightweight feel. —Michelle Tchea, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2025

The high-rise bar has been decked out in Moroney's signature glam, with massive pink bows adorning walls, hot pink ribbons draped from ceilings and rhinestones adorning every conceivable angle of the space. —Chris Barilla, People.com, 7 June 2025

Noun

Quite the opposite: Agolde ‘90s Jeans are what make my high-rise-loving ‘90s-baby heart flutter. —Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 27 Mar. 2023

After Oksana’s death, Hryhorii and his wife, Ninel, moved into Oksana’s compact, tidy flat in a Kyiv high-rise. —Alice Martins, Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Noun

1962, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

high-rise

adjective

ˈhī-ˈrīz

: having several stories and being equipped with elevators

high-rise apartments

high-rise noun