pillar

nouns

a fundamental principle or practice
"science eroded the pillars of superstition"
pillar
is a type of (narrower)
a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
"their principles of composition characterized all their works"
principle, rule
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"
column, pillar, tower
a prominent supporter
"he is a pillar of the community"
mainstay, pillar
a vertical cylindrical structure standing alone and not supporting anything (such as a monument)
column, pillar
(architecture) a tall vertical cylindrical structure standing upright and used to support a structure
column, pillar