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

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

There were icicle lights outside their rural Georgia home, garland on the banister and stockings hanging above the fireplace.

From Los Angeles 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

With a muffled whoop of glee, Josie immediately slid down the banister.

From Literature

There were icicle lights outside their rural Georgia home, garland on the banister and stockings hanging above the fireplace.

From Los Angeles Times