handrail

[ hand-reyl ]

noun

1. a rail serving as a support or guard at the side of a stairway, platform, etc.

handrail

/ ˈhændˌreɪl /

noun

1. a rail alongside a stairway, etc, at a convenient height to be grasped to provide support

Word History and Origins

Origin of handrail¹

First recorded in 1785–95; hand + rail ¹

Example Sentences

“He stands outside, in the dark London night, sobbing and unsteady, the handrail only a few feet away. And below that is the cold hard pavement,” Henry writes in her book.

From Los Angeles Times

“He wanted to take the stand, but then he saw it was three steps without a handrail,” Jimmy Fallon joked on Tuesday.

From New York Times

She ran down the stairs so fast, she almost tripped twice and needed to grab onto the handrail to keep from wiping out.

From Literature

The collection’s key motif was a curved red handrail designed for Milan’s 60-year-old red line by the late architect Franco Albini.

From Seattle Times

Then came time to remove the handrail.

From Salon