baluster

noun

bal·us·ter ˈba-lə-stər

: an object or vertical member (such as the leg of a table, a round in a chair back, or the stem of a glass) having a vaselike or turned outline

: an upright often vase-shaped support for a rail

Examples of baluster in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Couples can toast to their future amid the fragrant citrus trees, pines, and rustling palms, all of which are framed by mottled stone balusters—a Gatsby-esque stage for speeches. —

Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2023 Dave Holloway: There was no evidence on the stairs of someone going down, uh, like broken baluster or anything like that. —

Tracy Smith, CBS News, 18 May 2024 Newels are the big posts, and balusters are the little posts between the big posts. —

Benjamin Nugent, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2024 The sprawling home, designed by Paul Marchese, a former chief architect of the original World Trade Center, features classical elements such as decorative quoins, a portico entry, and roof balusters. —

Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 11 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for baluster

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'baluster.' 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

French balustre, from Italian balaustro, from balaustra wild pomegranate flower, from Latin balaustium, from Greek balaustion; from its shape

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of baluster was in 1602

See more words from the same year