From Middle English piler, from Old French pilier, from Medieval Latin - or Vulgar Latin *pilāre, from Latin pila.

• (America) IPA: /ˈpɪlɚ/
• (RP) IPA: /ˈpɪlə/

pillar (plural pillars)

1. (architecture) A large post, often used as supporting architecture.
2. Something resembling such a structure.

   a pillar of smoke

3. (figuratively) An essential part of something that provides support.

   He's a pillar of the community.

4. (Roman Catholic) A portable ornamental column, formerly carried before a cardinal, as emblematic of his support to the church.
   • a. 1529, John Skelton, a poem:

     two laye-men secular
     eache of theym holdynge a pillar
     In their hondes, steade of a mace

5. The centre of the volta, ring, or manege ground, around which a horse turns.
6. (bodybuilding) The body from the hips over the core to the shoulders.
7. (geology) A vertical, often spire-shaped, natural rock formation.

• column, sile

• French: pilier, pile
• German: Pfeiler, Säule
• Italian: pilastro
• Portuguese: pilar
• Russian: столб
• Spanish: pilar

• Russian: опло́т

pillar (pillars, present participle pillaring; simple past and past participle pillared)

1. To provide with pillars or added strength as if from pillars.

1. Surname.