EnglishMain Dictionary
pillar
Universal Words
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:
Two white marble pillars stood on either side of the entrance.
2 a large round stone, metal or wooden post that is built to remind people of a famous person or event
SYNCOLUMN
3 ~ of sth a mass of sth that is shaped like pillar:
a pillar of smoke / rock
4 ~ of sth a strong supporter of sth; an important member of sth:
a pillar of the Church * a pillar of society
5 ~ 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 * Education and investment are the twin pillars on which a successful economy is built.
IDIOMS
be driven, pushed, etc. from pillar to post to be forced to go from one person or situation to another without achieving anything:
Morale is very low. People have just had enough of being thrown from pillar to post.