1.
central pillar of a traditional Japanese house
The main structural pillar in a traditional Japanese building, typically the thickest and strongest column supporting the entire structure.
この大黒柱は太い。
This central pillar is thick.
古い家の大黒柱には傷が刻まれていた。
The central pillar of the old house had marks carved into it.
築百年の民家の大黒柱は今も家を支えている。
The central pillar of the hundred-year-old farmhouse still supports the building.
2.
breadwinner; mainstay; key person
Figuratively, the person who is the main support of a family, organization, or team. The one everyone depends on.
父は家族の大黒柱だ。
My father is the breadwinner of the family.
チームの大黒柱が怪我で欠場した。
The team's key player was absent due to injury.
彼女はこの会社の大黒柱として長年活躍してきた。
She has been active for many years as the mainstay of this company.
Named after 大黒天 (Daikokuten), the god of wealth and prosperity. In traditional Japanese houses, the 大黒柱 was positioned near the center of the home and was both structurally and symbolically important. The figurative sense (breadwinner, mainstay) is more common in everyday conversation. Collocations: 家族の大黒柱 (family breadwinner), チームの大黒柱 (team's key player), 大黒柱を失う (to lose one's mainstay).