pil ‧ lar /ˈpɪlə $ -ər/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: piler , from Latin pila ]
1 .
a) a tall upright round post used as a support for a roof or bridge:
Eight massive stone pillars supported the roof.
b) a tall upright round post, usually made of stone, put up to remind people of an important person or event
2 . pillar of society/the community/the church etc somebody who is an important and respected member of a group, and is involved in many public activities:
Mr Fitzwilliam had been seen as a pillar of the community.
3 . a very important part of a system of beliefs or ideas
pillar of
One of the pillars of a civilized society must be that everyone has equal access to the legal system.
4 . be driven/pushed from pillar to post to have to go from one person or situation to another without achieving much or being able to settle:
The poor kid has been pushed from pillar to post.
5 . be a pillar of strength if someone is a pillar of strength, they are there to give you help and support at a difficult time:
Christine’s been a pillar of strength to me.
6 . pillar of dust/smoke/flame etc a tall upright mass of dust, smoke, flame etc