puntal

prop

noun poon-TAHL Rare

Origin: From punta (point, tip) + -al.

Also means

mainstay

Usage Note

Puntal literally means a prop or support beam used in construction to hold something up. Figuratively, it means a mainstay or pillar — the key person or thing supporting a group or organization: el puntal del equipo ('the team's mainstay'). It is always masculine: el puntal.

Examples

"Ese jugador es el puntal del equipo nacional."

Natural Translation

That player is the mainstay of the national team.

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