pillar

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pillar" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used metaphorically to refer to a fundamental principle or support of a system, organization, or belief. Example: "Education is a pillar of our society, providing the foundation for future generations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The west has long viewed the Saudis as a pillar of stability in an unruly region.

The Guardian

Stella Creasy, the energetic MP for Walthamstow, has made this a central pillar of her bid for the party's deputy leadership but the field is crowded.

The Guardian - Opinion

The school called Griffith a "pillar of the community" and a "champion for the downtrodden".

The Guardian

Women seem particularly attuned to seeking out not partners but rehabilitation projects, though there are plenty of men who reprise the pillar of strength routine when they could do with support themselves.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Putin has managed to destabilise every former Soviet republic and greatly damage the strategic credibility of the west – of which Nato is a central pillar.

The Guardian - Opinion

But on the basis of the ICM survey so far, the long-promised swing back to the Conservatives in the final 72 hours before the election, the central pillar of the strategy organised by Lynton Crosby, David Cameron's campaign manager, has not materialised.

The Guardian

The first pillar represents the duty of the state to protect its own citizens; the second the duty of corporations to respect the rights of those citizens, and the third "the need for greater access by victims to effective remedy, both judicial and non-judicial".

The Guardian

"We will provide them with whatever law enforcement support is necessary and we are confident that Kenya, which has been a pillar of stability in eastern Africa, will rebuild".

The Guardian

Oh, and I'd like to get the ball rolling by nominating my Pillar of Society: Helena Button, who was an inspiring primary school teacher.

The Guardian - Opinion

Which brings us to... On election night, as news spread of the "six pointless plan" man's defeat in the polls, Diaz's brother Jayson managed to crash the campaign van into a car park pillar, prompting the suggestion: "Perhaps he was trying to make a six-point turn".

The Guardian

In an editorial, it described the legal move as "a deeply worrying erosion of a pillar of our parliamentary system".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pillar" metaphorically, ensure the connection between the supporting structure and the concept being supported is clear to the reader.

Common error

While "pillar" is a strong metaphor, overuse can weaken its impact. Vary your vocabulary with synonyms like "foundation", "cornerstone", or "linchpin" to maintain reader engagement and precision.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pillar" is as a noun, referring to a supporting structure or, metaphorically, to something that provides essential support. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "pillar" is a versatile noun with literal and metaphorical applications, denoting structural support or essential components. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various domains, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. While "pillar" is a common term, writers should be mindful of overuse and consider synonyms like "foundation" or "cornerstone" for nuanced expression. Using "pillar" effectively involves recognizing its function to highlight crucial support and stability within a given context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foundation

Emphasizes the underlying support or base upon which something is built, focusing on its fundamental role.

cornerstone

Highlights the essential, indispensable nature of something, suggesting it's a key element for stability.

mainstay

Suggests a reliable and consistent source of support or strength, often in a long-term context.

linchpin

Implies that something is crucial for holding different parts together, preventing collapse.

buttress

Focuses on providing reinforcement or additional support to prevent weakening or failure.

support

A general term for assistance or aid, whether structural, emotional, or logistical.

base

Refers to the lowest part of a structure or the foundation of an idea.

underpinning

Highlights the supporting framework or rationale beneath a concept or system.

keystone

Denotes the central and most important part that holds everything together.

essential element

A critical component or aspect that is necessary for the success or completeness of something.

FAQs

How can I use "pillar" in a sentence?

You can use "pillar" to describe a literal supporting structure, such as "The temple was supported by massive pillars". It can also be used metaphorically, such as "Honesty is a pillar of our relationship".

What can I say instead of "pillar"?

You can use alternatives like "foundation", "cornerstone", or "mainstay" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "pillar" metaphorically?

Using "pillar" metaphorically is appropriate when you want to emphasize the importance of something as a fundamental support or key component, such as "Education is a pillar of society".

What's the difference between "pillar" and "column"?

"Pillar" and "column" can both refer to supporting structures, but "pillar" is often used more broadly to describe something that provides essential support, while "column" is typically a specific architectural term.