Willis Tower
- proper noun
- /ˈwɪlɪs ˈtaʊər/
:
Willis Tower
- The Willis Tower was once the tallest building in the world when it was completed in 1974.
Examples
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During our trip to Chicago, we visited the Skydeck at Willis Tower to enjoy breathtaking views of the city.
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Many Chicagoans still refer to the Willis Tower by its former name, the Sears Tower.
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The Willis Tower is a popular tourist attraction, offering breathtaking views of Chicago from its Skydeck.
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The Willis Tower is an iconic part of Chicago's skyline.
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Have you ever visited the Willis Tower?
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The Willis Tower in Chicago, completed in 1974, is an iconic skyscraper that attracts millions of visitors each year.
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Willis Tower, previously known as the Sears Tower, was once the tallest building in the world and remains a key part of Chicago's skyline.
Synonyms
3
3.8
A very tall building in Chicago, once the world's tallest and now called the Willis Tower
Surface Forms
Morphology
Willis + tower
The noun 'tower' transparently indicates a tall building, so learners who know that word will infer that 'Willis Tower' is a tower named Willis. However, 'Willis' is a proper name with no descriptive meaning, so the specific referent (the Chicago skyscraper and its status) cannot be derived from the parts alone, giving only partial understanding.
Etymology
Willis Tower got its name when a company called Willis moved into many floors and put its name on the top of the skyscraper. Before that, people knew the building as 'Sears Tower' because the Sears company built it, so many people still call it 'Sears Tower' even though the official name is Willis Tower.