Skip to content

pilier

pillar, column

noun pee-LYAY Rare
Home & Lifestyle Construction

Origin: Old French 'piler', from Latin 'pila' (pillar)

Also means

pillar (figurative), stalwart

Usage Note

Pilier denotes a structural column as well as a figurative cornerstone — un pilier de la société (a pillar of society). In rugby, un pilier specifically means a prop forward. The colloquial expression un pilier de bistrot (a bar-stool pillar) humorously describes a habitual pub-goer.

Examples

"Les piliers soutiennent la voûte."

Natural Translation

The pillars support the vault.

Explore French by topic