pillar

4 definitions • 4 examples

a strong column made of stone, metal, or wood that supports part of a building:

A row of reinforced concrete pillars supports the bridge.

figurative a pillar of smoke/flame

a very important member or part of a group, organization, system, etc.:

Mrs Maple is a pillar of the local church.

a strong vertical column made of stone, metal, or wood that supports part of a building or stands alone for decoration

A pillar is also someone or something that is an important part of a group, place, or activity:

He’s a pillar of the Dallas business community.