banister

1 of 2

noun (1)

ban·​is·​ter ˈba-nə-stər 

variants or less commonly bannister

1

a

: a handrail with its supporting posts

b

: handrail

2

: baluster sense 2

banistered

ˈba-nə-stərd 

adjective

bannister

2 of 2

noun (2)

ban·​nis·​ter

less common spelling of banister

1

a

: a handrail with its supporting posts

b

: handrail

2

: baluster sense 2

Synonyms of banister

Noun (1)

• railing
• rail

Examples of banister in a Sentence

Noun (1)

The children love to slide down the banister.

She held the banister tightly.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Earlier this week, TMZ published a video that appeared to show massive white staircase banisters being craned into the building. — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 4 July 2026

These include an Italian marble floor and dual stairways to the second floor that have solid bronze banisters from Brazil. — James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 31 May 2026

Noun

Cheval Blanc Courchevel’s mustard exterior suggests a traditional, Savoyard scene of reindeer rugs and bannisters carved with twee hearts and cowbells inside. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026

The leader of Philadelphia’s Gay Raiders handcuffed himself to a bannister in Independence Hall, by the Liberty Bell. — Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

alteration of baluster

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1641, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for banister

• canister

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

Biographical Definition

Bannister

biographical name

Ban·​nis·​ter ˈba-nə-stər 

Sir Roger (Gilbert) 1929–2018 British runner and neurologist