banister
Americannoun
-
a baluster.
-
Sometimes banisters. the balustrade of a staircase.
Etymology
Origin of banister
First recorded in 1660–70; apparently by dissimilation from earlier barrister, alteration of baluster, perhaps by association with bar 1
Compare meaning
How does banister compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The velvety silhouette feels as distant as the sea, whose dark surface is sliced by the banister.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026
She can now ride her bike again and walk up stairs "without hanging on to the banister".
From BBC • May 22, 2025
There were icicle lights outside their rural Georgia home, garland on the banister and stockings hanging above the fireplace.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 21, 2023
Pennoyer ordered garlands on Amazon to hang over doors and windows and run up the banister.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 8, 2023
Francie polished the brass bell plates in the three vestibules and cleaned each banister spoke with an oiled cloth.
From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
