noun
pillar
PIH-luh
noun
1
A tall vertical post, usually supporting part of a building.
"Marble pillars lined the entrance to the courthouse."
2
A person or thing regarded as a central, essential support of something.
"Honesty is one of the pillars of a good relationship."
"She was a pillar of the local community for decades."
How to Use Pillar
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a literal supporting post, or figuratively something (or someone) essential that holds everything else up.
Common pairings
a pillar of the community
stone pillar
pillar of strength
Word Forms
pillared past tense, pillars plural, Pillars plural, pillars singular
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Etymology
From Old French pilier, from a Latin word for a pillar or pier.