pillar

Noun

• (architecture) a tall vertical cylindrical structure standing upright and used to support a structure

• a vertical cylindrical structure standing alone and not supporting anything (such as a monument)

• a prominent supporter
  • he is a pillar of the community
    

• anything that approximates the shape of a column or tower
  • the test tube held a column of white powder
    
  • a tower of dust rose above the horizon
    
  • a thin pillar of smoke betrayed their campsite
    

• a fundamental principle or practice
  • science eroded the pillars of superstition
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  column , mainstay , tower