pillar
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a tall, vertical post made of stone, wood, or metal used to support a roof or decorate a building.
n.a vertical structural member, typically cylindrical or square, used to support a weight or serving as an ornamental feature.
Simple“The roof of the ancient temple was held up by massive stone pillars.”
In context“The architect incorporated slender steel pillars into the design to maintain an open floor plan while supporting the weight of the upper gallery.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a person or an idea that is a very important and reliable part of something.
n.a person or abstract principle that provides essential support or stability to a community, system, or organisation.
Simple“My grandmother was a pillar of the local community for over fifty years.”
In context“Freedom of the press is often described as a fundamental pillar of a healthy democratic society.”
Synonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
n.a tall, thin piece of rock that stands alone, often created by wind or water.
n.a vertical, often spire-shaped, natural rock formation resulting from erosion or volcanic activity.
Simple“The hikers stopped to photograph the strange rock pillars rising from the desert floor.”
In context“The coastal landscape is defined by dramatic sandstone pillars that have been isolated from the mainland by centuries of wave erosion.”
- 04 C2 Proficiency
v.to provide a building or structure with pillars for strength.
v.to provide with pillars or to strengthen a structure as if with vertical supports.
Simple“The engineers decided to pillar the old bridge to prevent it from collapsing.”
In context“The vaulted ceiling was pillared with reinforced concrete to ensure the stability of the cathedral's expanded nave.”
“Inside the park stand 69 white pillars, one for each life lost.”
“Some view the SAT as a pillar of meritocracy in the American education system.”
From Middle English piler, from Old French pilier, from Medieval Latin or Vulgar Latin *pilāre (“a pillar”), from Latin pila (“a pillar, pier, mole”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.