pillar

Từ điển Oxford Advanced Learner 8th

pil·lar [pillar pillars] BrE [ˈpɪlə(r)] NAmE [ˈpɪlər] 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
Syn: ↑column
3. ~ of sth a mass of sth that is shaped like a 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.
Idiom: driven/pushed from pillar to post

Word Origin:
Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French piler, based on Latin pila ‘pillar’.

Example Bank:
•The roof is supported by eight massive stone pillars.
•a pillar of rock/smoke
•He was hiding behind a pillar near the back of the church.
•My view of the stage was blocked by a pillar.

• Từ đồng nghĩa / Synonyms:
  column, mainstay, tower