1
a
: a firm upright support for a superstructure : post entry 1
b
: a usually ornamental column or shaft
especially
: one standing alone for a monument
2
a
: 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
pillarless
adjective
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 crisis
Recent Examples on the Web
Arata Yamamoto, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Somewhere along the winding road of this historic 40th season, Bananas and his angels (Aviv, Jenny, and Rachel) decided to make foot content a core pillar of their business plan.
—Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2024
Among these, the People pillar—upgrading talent—can be the most challenging yet vital step.
—Mamie Jones, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pillar 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
The Japan Times reported that the letters were carved into a wooden pillar of a traditional entrance, known as a torii gate, at the Meiji Shrine.
—Arata Yamamoto, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Somewhere along the winding road of this historic 40th season, Bananas and his angels (Aviv, Jenny, and Rachel) decided to make foot content a core pillar of their business plan.
—Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
Verb
Analysts have tempered expectations that large-scale fiscal stimulus would directly pillar consumption, instead noting how struggling local governments would likely get support first.
—Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2024
Among these, the People pillar—upgrading talent—can be the most challenging yet vital step.
—Mamie Jones, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pillar
Dictionary Entries Near pillar
Cite this Entry
“Pillar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pillar. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pillar
1 of 2 noun
pil·lar
ˈpil-ər 
1
: a firm upright support (as for a roof)
2
: a column or shaft standing alone (as for a monument)
3
: a supporting or important member or part
a pillar of society
pillar
2 of 2 verb
: to provide or support with or as if with pillars
a long pillared hall
Medical Definition
pillar
noun
pil·lar
ˈpil-ər
: a body part likened to a pillar or column (as the margin of the external inguinal ring)
specifically
: pillar of the fauces
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share