railing

noun

rail·​ing ˈrā-liŋ 

1

: a barrier consisting of a rail and supports

2

: rails

also : material for making rails

Synonyms

• balustrade
• banister
• bannister
• guardrail
• rail

Example Sentences

He leaned on the deck's railing and watched the sun set.

they had to put a childproof railing on the balcony when the baby started walking

Recent Examples on the Web

Keep in Mind: Your railing can only be up to 2 inches thick, which can be limiting in some homes. —Rena Behar, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Apr. 2023

In the artful pic, Berry is strategically covered up while basking in the sun outside her Malibu home, with one arm across her chest and the patio's iron railing and a plant obscuring her bottom half. —Quinci Legardye, Harper's BAZAAR, 10 Apr. 2023

March 31, 2023 A video showed the fan, dressed in A’s colors, approach the railing as Rendon turns toward him from the tunnel walkway below. —Tim Booth, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Apr. 2023

Designer Amy Sklar keeps the banister, railing and stair risers white to create balance. —Alyssa Gautieri, Good Housekeeping, 17 Feb. 2023

Academy leadership eventually opted to install wooden pieces along the railing to obscure the view from below. —Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2022

There was kind of a small crowd gathered around underneath the balcony, and Dr. King was leaning on the railing. —Mark Braboy, Harper's BAZAAR, 19 Apr. 2023

Inside, it’s loaded with original details—everything from the hardwood flooring to railings and beams is intact. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 7 Apr. 2023

The song’s video, shot at Simonon’s place on an iPhone, shows a veiled woman climbing stairs, her hand inching up the railing like a spider. —Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

railing

noun

rail·​ing ˈrā-liŋ 

1

: a barrier (as a fence) consisting of rails and their supports

2

: material for rails