柱(はしら)pillar, post, support, prop, mainstay, counter for buddhas, gods, nobles, etc.

稼(かせ)ぎ頭(がしら)のお母(かあ)さんは一家(いっか)の柱(はしら)である。

The mother who is the breadwinner is the pillar of the family. {pillar, post, support, prop, mainstay, counter for buddhas, gods, nobles, etc.}

労働(ろうどう)者(しゃ)が賃上(ちんあ)げを柱(はしら)に要求(ようきゅう)を決定(けってい)しました。

The workers have decided on their demands, with a wage increase as the main pillar. {pillar, post, support, prop, mainstay, counter for buddhas, gods, nobles, etc.}

このチームの柱(はしら)はあのキャプテンだと聞(き)きました。

I heard that the captain is the mainstay of this team. {pillar, post, support, prop, mainstay, counter for buddhas, gods, nobles, etc.}

ようやく行政(ぎょうせい)改革(かいかく)の柱(はしら)となる法案(ほうあん)が設立(せつりつ)されたのだとか。

At last, a bill that will serve as the pillar of administrative reform has been established, it seems. {pillar, post, support, prop, mainstay, counter for buddhas, gods, nobles, etc.}

工場(こうじょう)内(ない)で火(ひ)の柱(はしら)が立(た)つや否(いな)や、従業(じゅうぎょう)員(いん)は急(いそ)いで消防(しょうぼう)に通報(つうほう)をしました。

As soon as a pillar of fire rose inside the factory, the employees promptly reported it to the fire department. {pillar, post, support, prop, mainstay, counter for buddhas, gods, nobles, etc.}