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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Photo : Jason Wells/Golden Gate Creative A staircase has an antique wood banister. Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2025 At the top of the staircase with its original wood banister is the primary bedroom. Angela Serratore, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025 When the hero ducks so that one baddie punches the other one, then backflips over a banister to two-leg kick the guy coming up from beneath? Ars Technica, 27 Dec. 2024 The tour begins in the couple's front entryway, where pink and green pastel ribbon bows adorn a banister leading upstairs. Tabitha Parent, People.com, 23 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for banister

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Banister.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/banister. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

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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