[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/pillar/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [P](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/p/) / pillar

# pillar

noun (a pillar, pillars)

«pillar» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A pillar is a tall, strong post of stone, wood or metal that holds up part of a building or stands as a monument. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pillar/#m1)
2. A pillar of smoke, fire or cloud is a tall column of it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pillar/#m2)
3. A pillar of a community or group is an important person or idea that supports it: a pillar of the church. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pillar/#m3)

### In the lessons

In history: Greek and Roman temples with pillars. In the Bible: God led the Israelites by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night; Lot's wife became a pillar of salt. In religion: the Five Pillars of Islam. Phrase (UK): «from pillar to post» means from one place to another without rest.

### Examples

- The temple roof stood on tall stone pillars. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pillar/#x1)
- A pillar of smoke rose from the bonfire. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pillar/#x2)
- God led the Israelites with a pillar of cloud. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pillar/#x3)
- Grandpa was a pillar of the community. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pillar/#x4)
- The Five Pillars of Islam are the main duties of Muslims. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pillar/#x5)
- In the UK, post boxes used to be called pillar boxes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pillar/#x6)
- We were sent from pillar to post. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pillar/#x7)
- Around and around the pillar ran the Princess. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pillar/#x8)

### Note

Countable. Similar: column (often round and decorated), post. Phrase: «pillar of strength» = someone who supports others in hard times.

## In Jewish tradition

Pillars of cloud by day and fire by night guided Israel in the desert, and Lot's wife became a pillar of salt; pillars set up for idol worship were forbidden.

**Interpretation.** The rabbis said the cloud and fire showed God's constant presence; the ban on stone pillars is because they were used in pagan worship. The pillars of heaven and earth show that all creation rests on God's will.

### Examples

- And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar. (Torah GEN.31.45, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/pillar/#x1)
- Neither shalt thou set thee up a pillar, which the LORD thy God hateth. (Torah DEU.16.22, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/pillar/#x2)
- But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. (Torah GEN.19.26, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/pillar/#x3)
- The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at His rebuke. (Writings JOB.26.11, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/pillar/#x4)
- Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars; (Writings PRO.9.1, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/pillar/#x5)
- Who shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble. (Writings JOB.9.6, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/pillar/#x6)

### Note

Countable. Similar: column (often round and decorated), post. Phrase: «pillar of strength» = someone who supports others in hard times.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «pillar» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pillar/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«pillar» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/pillar.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «pillar» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/pillar/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«pillar» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/pillar.html) on Mova free.