1. a prominent supporter - he is a pillar of the community • Syn: pillar • Hypernyms: supporter, protagonist, champion, admirer, booster, friend 2. a central cohesive source of support and stability - faith is his anchor - the keystone of campaign reform was the ban on soft money - he is the linchpin of this firm • Syn: anchor, keystone, backbone, linchpin, lynchpin • Derivationally related forms: anchor (for: anchor) • Hypernyms: support 3. the forestay that braces the mainmast • Hypernyms: forestay