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
ivory-tower adjective
ivory-towerish adjective

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
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.
Apple’s community has to wait until Tim Cook and his team step down from their ivory tower to join the rest of the world. Ewan Spence, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024 In Latest Survey With Race Nearly Tied Northern Lights And Comet Tonight: These States May See Aurora Display Embrace Hands-On Leadership Marcus and Blank were clear in Built from Scratch: leaders should avoid retreating into an ivory tower. Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024 It’s marketed as the work of America-hating academics in ivory towers, who seek to demoralize and indoctrinate young minds into thinking their nation is irredeemably racist. Theodore R. Johnson, Washington Post, 27 June 2024 Far from remaining confined to the ivory tower, this conceptual framework has long guided official thinking. Manjari Chatterjee Miller, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for ivory tower 

Word History

Etymology

translation of French tour d'ivoire

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ivory tower was in 1894

Dictionary Entries Near ivory tower

Cite this Entry

“Ivory tower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ivory%20tower. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!