顶梁柱

頂樑柱
dǐngliángzhù
  1. (figurative) pillar; backbone
  2. (literally) key pillar that supports the beam
  3. key pillar that supports the beam
  4. pillar; backbone

Wiktionary

Homographs

顶梁柱 dǐngliángzhù
  1. pillar
  2. backbone

Entry Composition

1 顶 dǐng
  1. apex
  2. crown of the head
  3. top
  4. roof
  5. most
  6. to carry on the head
  7. to push to the top
  8. to go against
  9. to replace
  10. to substitute
  11. to be subjected to (an aerial bombing, hailstorm etc)
  12. (slang) to "bump" a forum thread to raise its profile
  13. classifier for headwear, hats, veils etc
2 梁柱 liángzhù pillar, column