TOP

Definition of pillar noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

pillar

noun
 
/ˈpɪlə(r)/
 
/ˈpɪlər/
 Idioms
jump to other results
  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 part of an attractive design
    • Two white marble pillars stood on either side of the entrance.
    Extra Examples
    • The roof is supported by eight massive stone pillars.
    • He was hiding behind a pillar near the back of the church.
    • My view of the stage was blocked by a pillar.
    Topics Buildingsc2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • giant
    • huge
    • massive
    • …
    pillar + verb
    • stand
    • hold something up
    • support something
    • …
    preposition
    • behind a/​the pillar
    • pillar of
    See full entry
  2. a large round stone, metal or wooden post that is built to remind people of a famous person or event synonym column
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • giant
    • huge
    • massive
    • …
    pillar + verb
    • stand
    • hold something up
    • support something
    • …
    preposition
    • behind a/​the pillar
    • pillar of
    See full entry
  3. pillar of something a mass of something that is like a pillar in shape
    • a pillar of smoke/rock
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • giant
    • huge
    • massive
    • …
    pillar + verb
    • stand
    • hold something up
    • support something
    • …
    preposition
    • behind a/​the pillar
    • pillar of
    See full entry
  4. pillar of something a strong supporter of something; an important member of something
    • He was a pillar of the Church.
    • a pillar of society
    • He was the local magistrate and a pillar of the community.
  5. pillar of something 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.
    see also Five Pillars of Islam
    7. Word OriginMiddle English: from Anglo-Norman French piler, based on Latin pila ‘pillar’.
Idioms
be driven, pushed, etc. from pillar to post
  1. 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.
See pillar in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee pillar in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: pillar

Nearby words

apron
noun
 
 
From the Topic
Clothes and fashion
B2
Oxford Learner's Dictionaries Word of the Day