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.
Drape them over a doorframe, wrap them around a banister, or weave them through a patio railing for an instant touch of autumn. Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025 Hang them around a fireplace, doorframe, stairs, tabletops, and banisters for an ideal autumnal atmosphere. Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2025 Old hotel radiators were transformed into displays, as was a church banister found in a flea market in Italy. Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 21 July 2025 Its clean lines, circular main hall and curved banisters offer a glimpse into the terminal’s fascinating past. Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 2 July 2025 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 10 Sep. 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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