baluster

[ bal-uh-ster ]

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.

baluster

/ ˈbæləstə /

noun

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

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 Words From

• balus·tered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of baluster¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of baluster¹

C17: from French balustre , from Italian balaustro pillar resembling a pomegranate flower, ultimately from Greek balaustion

Example Sentences

Have you ever wondered why your deck railing balusters don’t look so bad?

From Seattle Times

The primary bedroom suite can be reached by going down a spiral staircase with wrought-iron balusters created by Patrick Cardine, an acclaimed blacksmith and designer whose work can be seen at Washington National Cathedral.

From Washington Post

They raised the railing on the stairs by replicating and lengthening the balusters.

From Washington Post

They are designed for a baluster style of railing with pickets and can’t be used with all railing types.

From Seattle Times

The building still has a pair of wide elliptical stairways that still have their original walnut handrails, round newel posts and turned balusters.

From Washington Times