leaning tower of pisa

noun

1. a round, marble campanile in Pisa, Italy, begun in 1174 and now 17 feet (5.2 meters) out of the perpendicular in its height of 179 feet (54 meters).

A dramatically leaning tower in the city of Pisa in Italy, built as a bell tower for the cathedral (see also cathedral) of the city; the tower dates from the twelfth century. Soon after its construction, the foundation sank, causing the tower to lean.