1. pillar

a fundamental principle or practice

Example Sentences:
'science eroded the pillars of superstition'

2. column, pillar, tower

anything that approximates the shape of a column or tower

Example Sentences:
'the test tube held a column of white powder'
'a tower of dust rose above the horizon'
'a thin pillar of smoke betrayed their campsite'

• column
• tower

3. mainstay, pillar

a prominent supporter

Example Sentences:
'he is a pillar of the community'

• mainstay

4. column, pillar

a vertical cylindrical structure standing alone and not supporting anything (such as a monument)

• column

5. column, pillar

(architecture) a tall vertical cylindrical structure standing upright and used to support a structure

• column