pillar
noun
pil·lar
| \ ˈpi-lər
\
\
Definition of pillar
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: a firm upright support for a superstructure : post
b
: a usually ornamental column or shaft
especially
: one standing alone for a monument
2a
: a supporting, integral, or upstanding member or part
a pillar of society
b
: a fundamental precept
the five pillars of Islam
3
: a solid mass of coal, rock, or ore left standing to support a mine roof
4
: a body part that resembles a column
from pillar to post
: from one place or one predicament to another
pillar
verb
pillared;
pillaring;
pillars
Definition of pillar (Entry 2 of 2)
: to provide or strengthen with or as if with pillars
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Synonyms for pillar
Synonyms: Noun
column, pier, pilaster, post, stanchion
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Examples of pillar in a Sentence
Noun
the ancient Greek temple boasted graceful marble pillars with richly ornamented tops my father has been my pillar throughout this crisisRecent Examples on the Web: Noun
Frampton suffered was left with a broken metacarpal in his left hand that forced him to withdraw from his fight against Emmanuel Dominguez after a concrete pillar in a hotel lobby fell and smashed his hand. — Charlotte Carroll, SI.com, "Jason Sosa vs. Haskell Lydell Rhodes: How to Watch Top Rank Boxing Online, TV," 10 Aug. 2019 Today, the Collinses are pillars of Helena, the capital of the least black state in America. — Christa Case Bryant, The Christian Science Monitor, "Why America remains a beacon of hope for Liberian refugee," 24 July 2019 Eating clean, being active, getting enough sleep, and managing stress are still the pillars of healthy, sustainable weight loss. — Cynthia Sass, Mph, Health.com, "Can the Coffee Diet Really Help With Weight Loss—and Is It Safe?," 19 July 2019 The Mayor Pro Temp remembers Redmon as someone who was a leader and a pillar in the community who was known for his dedication to his family, beliefs and his strong commitment to the community. — Kaila Contreras, Houston Chronicle, "Community mourns businessman, councilmember who died this weekend," 16 July 2019 Surgeons were pillars of society, herbalists the loony fringe. — The Economist, "The business of the body," 11 July 2019 When the movie opens, the pillars and crossbeams of the USSR’s police state are still in place, but the foundation is showing cracks. — Ty Burr, BostonGlobe.com, "‘Leto’ revisits Soviet socialist rock ’n’ roll," 31 July 2019 Two pillars were Reggie Williams and his wife, Cherilyn. — Kurt Streeter, New York Times, "Maya Moore Left Basketball. A Prisoner Needed Her Help.," 30 June 2019 Besides sound, the other two pillars of a good gaming headset are comfort and microphone performance. — Valentina Palladino And Jeff Dunn, Ars Technica, "Guidemaster: Ars picks 11 gifts you can get Dad for Father’s Day 2019," 11 June 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
All six of the new Yuletide scents start at just $2 and come in various sizes from tiny tea lights and votive lights to pillar candles and large jars. — Jessica Leigh Mattern, Country Living, "The 2018 Yankee Candle Christmas Scents Have Arrived and We Are So Ready," 5 Oct. 2018 The former governor of California took the oak in the marble pillared chambers of the Supreme Court. — Sacbee, sacbee.com, "Warren sworn in as U.S. chief justice," 19 May 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pillar.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for pillar
pillar
noun
English Language Learners Definition of pillar
: a large post that helps to hold up something (such as a roof)
: someone who is an important member of a group
: a basic fact, idea, or principle of something
See the full definition for pillar in the English Language Learners Dictionary
pillar
noun
pil·lar
| \ ˈpi-lər
\
\
Kids Definition of pillar
1
: a large post that supports something (as a roof)
2
: a single column built as a monument
3
: a supporting or important member or part
He was a pillar of society.
4
: something that resembles a column in shape
pillars of smoke
pillar
noun
pil·lar
| \ ˈpil-ər
\
\
Medical Definition of pillar
: a body part likened to a pillar or column (as the margin of the external inguinal ring)
specifically
: pillar of the fauces