pillar

Meanings

• a fundamental principle or practice
  • "science eroded the pillars of superstition"
• anything that approximates the shape of a column or tower
  • "a thin pillar of smoke betrayed their campsite"
• a prominent supporter
  • "he is a pillar of the community"
• a vertical cylindrical structure standing alone and not supporting anything (such as a monument)
• (architecture) a tall vertical cylindrical structure standing upright and used to support a structure

Synonyms

column, mainstay, tower