noun
Uncommon
pillar
PIH-luh
Pillar (noun) means a tall vertical post, usually supporting part of a building. Example: “Marble pillars lined the entrance to the courthouse.”
noun
1
A tall vertical post, usually supporting part of a building.
"Marble pillars lined the entrance to the courthouse."
"The old barn roof was held up by four thick wooden pillars."
"He hid behind a stone pillar so she wouldn't see him."
2
A person or thing regarded as a central, essential support of something.
"Honesty is one of the pillars of a good relationship."
"She was a pillar of the local community for decades."
"Our goalkeeper has been a pillar of the team all season."
How to use pillar
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a literal supporting post, or figuratively something (or someone) essential that holds everything else up.
Common pairings
a pillar of the community
stone pillar
pillar of strength
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like pillar.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- pillars
- Third person singular
- pillars
- Past tense
- pillared
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Marble _____ lined the entrance to the courthouse.
Etymology
From Old French pilier, from a Latin word for a pillar or pier.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for pillar
See all rhymes for pillar →Frequently asked questions
What does “pillar” mean?
The word “pillar” means a tall vertical post, usually supporting part of a building. In plain terms, either a literal supporting post, or figuratively something (or someone) essential that holds everything else up.
How do you pronounce “pillar”?
“Pillar” is pronounced PIH-luh (/ˈpɪlɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “pillar” in a sentence?
Here is “pillar” used in a sentence: “Marble pillars lined the entrance to the courthouse.”
What is another word for “pillar”?
Words with a similar meaning to “pillar” include column and sile.
What part of speech is “pillar”?
“Pillar” is a noun.
Where does the word “pillar” come from?
The word “pillar” comes from Latin. From Old French pilier, from a Latin word for a pillar or pier.
Is “pillar” a common word?
“Pillar” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “pillar” have?
“Pillar” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tall vertical post, usually supporting part of a building.
What is the difference between a "pillar" and a "column"?
"Pillar" and "column" both describe a tall vertical post supporting part of a building, and the two words are largely interchangeable in everyday use, as reflected in "column" being a listed synonym of "pillar." "Column" is sometimes preferred in architectural or classical contexts, while "pillar" is more common in general speech and figurative use.
What does it mean to call someone a "pillar of the community"?
Calling someone a "pillar of the community" uses the figurative sense of "pillar," meaning a person regarded as a central, essential support of something, in this case the people around them. It highlights their reliability and importance rather than any physical structure.
Can "pillar" be used figuratively as well as literally?
Yes, "pillar" can describe a literal vertical post supporting a building, or figuratively a person or thing seen as a central, essential support of something, such as "honesty is a pillar of good journalism." Both uses are common in everyday and formal English.
