pillar

Compared meaning: a tall vertical structure that supports a building (noun).

比较义项：支撑建筑物的圆柱／柱子（名词，建筑构件）。

• column

  Column suggests a slender, often cylindrical architectural support, typically decorative and associated with classical building styles, frequently appearing in rows.

  column（圆柱）通常指纤细、多为圆柱形的建筑支撑物，常带装饰性，让人联想到古典建筑风格，且常常成排出现。

  The museum's entrance is lined with tall marble columns in the classical style.

  这座博物馆的入口两侧排列着高大的古典风格大理石圆柱。

• pillar 本词

  Pillar is a broader, more neutral term for any tall vertical support, often emphasizing structural strength rather than decoration, and can be square, round or irregular in shape.

  pillar（柱子）是更宽泛、更中性的词，指任何高大的竖直支撑物，往往强调结构上的坚固性而非装饰性，形状可以是方形、圆形或不规则的。

  The old stone bridge stands on four wide pillars sunk deep into the river bed.

  这座古老的石桥立在四根深深打入河床的宽柱子上。

Column and pillar both mean a tall support for a building. Column suggests a slender, decorative support in a classical style. Pillar is broader and more neutral, for any tall vertical support, focused on strength, not decoration. Not compared: column (table list), pillar (important person).

这两个词在“支撑建筑物的柱状构件”这一义项上意思相近，但形态和语体略有不同：column 多指纤细、成排出现的古典式圆柱，pillar 则是更宽泛、更中性的说法。这里不比较 column 的“表格的列、脊柱、烟柱”等义项，也不比较 pillar 的“栋梁、台柱（比喻杰出人物）”义项。

Compared meaning: an important supporting person or thing (noun).

比较义项：重要的支撑者、支柱（名词）。

• pillar 本词

  Highlights being one of several steady, admired supports of a community, family, or organization; evokes the image of a strong supporting column.

  强调是社区、家庭或组织中众多稳固支撑力量之一，令人联想到坚实的支撑柱，带有受人尊敬的意味。

  Her grandfather was a respected pillar of the small fishing village for decades.

  她的祖父数十年来一直是这个小渔村里受人尊敬的支柱。

• mainstay

  Refers to the single most essential support a system or activity depends on, often economic; usually singular and central rather than one of many.

  指某个体系或活动所依赖的最主要、最核心的那一个支撑，通常是唯一、居于中心地位的，而不是众多支撑之一。

  Fishing has long been the mainstay of this island's entire economy.

  长期以来，捕鱼业一直是这座岛屿整个经济的支柱。

Both describe someone who gives important support. Pillar suggests one of several admired supports of a community, like a column, not the literal building column. Mainstay is the single most essential support a system depends on, not the nautical rope that holds a mast.

这两个词都可以指“像柱子一样撑起某个整体的人或事物”，但语气不同：pillar强调是众多支撑力量之一，常用于赞美某人在社区、家庭中稳固可靠；mainstay则强调“最主要、不可或缺的那一个支撑”，常用于经济、生活或团队等系统。这里不比较pillar本义“建筑上的石柱、柱子”，也不比较mainstay在航海中“支索（固定主桅的绳索）”的意思。