banister

noun

ban·​is·​ter ˈba-nə-stər How to pronounce banister (audio)
variants or less commonly bannister
1
a
: a handrail with its supporting posts
b
2
banistered adjective

Examples of banister in a Sentence

The children love to slide down the banister. She held the banister tightly.
Recent Examples on the Web The grand corridor features 200-year-old, hand-hewn beams, and the primary living area boasts its original federal-style flooring, mantels, banister, and trim. Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 18 Jan. 2024 Wreaths are ideal for doors and windows, and the tree is the centerpiece, but garland hung from banisters and fireplace mantles fills out the rest of the rooms. Matt Jancer, WIRED, 27 Nov. 2023 Even the banisters were designed to show monsters caught in fishing nets. Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Dec. 2023 Channel the Wonka atmosphere with lofty ceilings and statement architecture features—think wooden stairway banisters, ornate crown molding, and picture windows. Abby Wilson, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Dec. 2023 Some of her placement ideas include garland around columns, mailbox posts, and window frames outdoors, and swags and garland on banisters, tabletops, and fireplace mantels indoors. Blake Bakkila, Sunset Magazine, 29 Nov. 2023 The banister, adorned with cascading paper balls, draws the eye upward. Pamela Brill, Southern Living, 11 Dec. 2023 Place the arrangement on a neutral table runner for a simply beautiful Thanksgiving table setting. 22 of 32 Evergreen Accent Add appeal to your staircase banister with a pinecone decoration made from evergreen boughs and ribbon. Kaylei Fear, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Nov. 2023 Add an evergreen garland to the banister, the mantel, or a large archway. Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 13 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'banister.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

alteration of baluster

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of banister was in 1641

Dictionary Entries Near banister

Cite this Entry

“Banister.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/banister. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

banister

noun
ban·​is·​ter
variants also bannister
ˈban-ə-stər
1
: one of the slender posts used to support the handrail of a staircase
2
: a handrail with its supporting posts
3
: the handrail of a staircase

More from Merriam-Webster on banister

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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