banister

[ ban-uh-ster ]

noun

1. a baluster.
2. Sometimes banisters. the balustrade of a staircase.

Word History and Origins

Origin of banister¹

First recorded in 1660–70; apparently by dissimilation from earlier barrister, alteration of baluster, perhaps by association with bar ¹

Example Sentences

The inquest also heard two statements from firefighters Leighton Brown and Gareth Davies who said the stairs banister, ceiling and the whole of the landing was “covered in smoke and fire” on their arrival.

From BBC

Fire escapes look corroded and other metal fixtures such as banisters have been coated to look old or rusty, while walls appear water-stained.

From Los Angeles Times

He said Beal "wrapped her dead partner up and dragged him down the stairs, destroying the banister rails upstairs in order to do so" and buried him at their home on Moore Street.

From BBC

A 1960s life-size mirrored figure by the Italian artist Claudio Platania and the French fashion designer Pierre Cardin stood on one of the home’s landings, reflecting the angular carvings of the original pine banisters.

From New York Times

“And then literally at the same time, on another channel, there was Jamie,” he recalled in an interview last week, “this floppy-haired Essex boy, sliding down the banister doing one-pot wonders.”

From New York Times