baluster

American  

[bal-uh-ster] / ˈbæl ə stər /

noun

1. Architecture. any of a number of closely spaced supports for a railing.

2. balusters, a balustrade.

3. any of various symmetrical supports, as furniture legs or spindles, tending to swell toward the bottom or top.

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baluster British  

/ ˈbæləstə /

noun

1. any of a set of posts supporting a rail or coping

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adjective

1. (of a shape) swelling at the base and rising in a concave curve to a narrow stem or neck

   a baluster goblet stem

Other Word Forms

• balustered adjective

Etymology

Origin of baluster

1595–1605; < French, Middle French balustre < Italian balaustro pillar shaped like the calyx of the pomegranate flower, ultimately < Latin balaustium < Greek balaústion pomegranate flower

Compare meaning

How does baluster compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• banister vs. baluster