pillar

Noun
  1. A fundamental principle or practice (synset 105922436)
    "science eroded the pillars of superstition"
    is a type of: principle, rule - a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
    subtypes: pillar of islam - (Islam) one of the five religious obligations accepted by all Muslims
  2. Anything that approximates the shape of a column or tower (synset 113923115)
    "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"
    is a type of: form, shape - the spatial arrangement of something as distinct from its substance
    subtypes:
    • columella - a small column (or structure resembling a column) that is a part of a plant or animal
    • hoodoo - (geology) a column of weathered and unusually shaped rock
    same as: column, tower
  3. A prominent supporter (synset 110452721)
    "he is a pillar of the community"
    is a type of: admirer, booster, champion, friend, protagonist, supporter - a person who backs a politician or a team etc.
    same as: mainstay
  4. A vertical cylindrical structure standing alone and not supporting anything (such as a monument) (synset 103078384)
    is a type of: construction, structure - a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts
    subtypes:
    • obelisk - a stone pillar having a rectangular cross section tapering towards a pyramidal top
    • totem pole - a tribal emblem consisting of a pillar carved and painted with totemic figures; erected by Indian tribes of the northwest Pacific coast
    same as: column
  5. (architecture) a tall vertical cylindrical structure standing upright and used to support a structure (synset 103077981)
    referred to in: architecture - the discipline dealing with the principles of design and construction and ornamentation of fine buildings
    is a type of: upright, vertical - a vertical structural member as a post or stake
    subtypes:
    • atlas, telamon - a figure of a man used as a supporting column
    • caryatid - a supporting column carved in the shape of a person
    • newel - the central pillar of a circular staircase
    • pilaster - a rectangular column that usually projects about a third of its width from the wall to which it is attached
    • pile, piling, spile, stilt - a column of wood or steel or concrete that is driven into the ground to provide support for a structure
    • support column - a column that supports a heavy weight
    has:
    • cap, capital, chapiter - the upper part of a column that supports the entablature
    • footstall, pedestal, plinth - an architectural support or base (as for a column or statue)
    • scape, shaft - (architecture) upright consisting of the vertical part of a column
    • entasis - a slight convexity in the shaft of a column; compensates for the illusion of concavity that viewers experience when the sides are perfectly straight
    is a part of: temple - an edifice devoted to special or exalted purposes
    same as: column

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