ziggurat

noun

Etymology: Learned borrowing from Akkadian 𒅆𒂍𒉪 (ziqqurratum).

1. A temple tower of the ancient Mesopotamian valley, having the form of a terraced pyramid of successively receding stories

   “It would be uplifting to think that the ziggurat was the first expression of Near Eastern civilization, for then one could speak about humanity's fascination with the heavens, of the human quest for communion with the infinite.”

2. Any building with similar style or shape.

   “He works in an old ziggurat of an office building.”