Pillar Meaning
/ˈpɪlə/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA large post, often used as supporting architecture.
nounSomething resembling such a structure.
Sentence Examples
A large pillar obstructs the view of the lake.
The pillar tilted to the right and fell.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The old building has a stone ____ supporting the roof at the center of the hall.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ancient temple was supported by tall marble ____ that had stood for over two thousand years.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English piler, from Old French pilier, from Medieval Latin or Vulgar Latin *pilāre (“a pillar”), from Latin pila (“a pillar, pier, mole”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"In the Shanghai Communiqué of 1972, we recognized the fact that both Beijing and Taipei viewed Taiwan as part of China but unequivocally expressed our support for a peaceful settlement of the unification issue. While we should not alter the fundamental pillars of our policy, we should consider certain steps that will raise Taiwan's international standing."
— 1992, Richard Nixon, “The Pacific Triangle”, in Seize the Moment, Simon & Schuster, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 181:
"Star Trek is one of the pillars of modern entertainment."
— 2016, Kenneth Lonergan, Manchester by the Sea, spoken by CJ (Christian Mallen):
"two laye-men secular
eache of theym holdynge a pillar
In their hondes, steade of a mace"
— a. 1529, John Skelton, a poem:
"Insufficient penetration, or faulty distribution of the blast, may give rise to "pillaring" — that is, the formation of a pillar or column of cold material extending up through the middle of the hearth"
— 1910, James Morgan, Blast furnace practice:
"We discovered this new class of compounds in our search for a means of generating porosity by pillaring layered double hydroxides"
— 1996, National Academy of Engineering, First annual Symposium on Frontiers of Engineering, page 25:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The old building has a stone ____ supporting the roof at the center of the hall.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ancient temple was supported by tall marble ____ that had stood for over two thousand years.