/ ˈpɪlə(r); NAmE / noun
1.
a large round stone, metal or wooden post that is used to support a bridge, the roof of a building, etc., especially when it is also decorative
2.
a large round stone, metal or wooden post that is built to remind people of a famous person or event
SYN column
3.
pillar of sth a mass of sth that is shaped like a pillar :
a pillar of smoke / rock
4.
pillar of sth a strong supporter of sth; an important member of sth :
a pillar of the Church
a pillar of society
5.
pillar of sth a person who has a lot of a particular quality :
She is a pillar of strength in a crisis.
6.
a basic part or feature of a system, organization, belief, etc. :
the central pillar of this theory
•
IDIOMS
- be driven, pushed, etc. from pillar to post
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Anglo-Norman French piler , based on Latin pila pillar.