栋梁 Traditional form: 棟梁 Pinyin (reading): dòngliáng Definitions: ridgepole ridgepole and beams person able to bear heavy responsibility mainstay (of organization) pillar (of state) Characters: 栋 - ridge-beam; the main support of a house 梁 - bridge; beam, rafter; surname Traditional characters: 棟 - ridge-beam; the main support of a house 梁 - bridge; beam, rafter; surname