stanchion

noun

stan·​chion ˈstan-chən How to pronounce stanchion (audio)
1
: an upright bar, post, or support (as for a roof or a ship's deck)
2
: a device that fits loosely around the neck of an animal (such as a cow) and limits forward and backward motion (as in a stall)
stanchioned adjective

Examples of stanchion in a Sentence

the stanchion of an arch
Recent Examples on the Web Standing at the back of the concessions line, which even at 3:30 a.m. continued to snake beyond the stanchions, Bakalli smiled. Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 1 Mar. 2024 Visitors are admitted in groups that snake around stanchions flanked with huge images of astronauts and their personal stories. John Wenzel, The Denver Post, 13 Feb. 2024 Look at the design of the shelters at the stations, with their bold stanchions, curved roofs surmounted by heavy finials. Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2024 Trees swayed, flags pulled against their fastenings and metal traffic signs twisted from side to side on their stanchions, as the west wind swept without limits or restraints down the streets and avenues of the city. Martin Weil, Washington Post, 14 Jan. 2024 Several dozen students risked arrest by crossing the stanchions separating them from the regents, shutting down the meeting. Calmatters, The Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2024 But there are frequent bottlenecks; near the shoreline and around the stanchions, the walkway can be as narrow as five feet. Sarah Maslin Nir, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2024 The Bucks also will be monitoring Antetokounmpo, who jammed his right wrist on the stanchion one week ago and sprained it, and Khris Middleton, who didn’t play in Milwaukee's last game before the break with knee soreness. Lori Nickel, Journal Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2023 Nearly every register is occupied to feed the masses, and the lines snake around the stanchions like a busy airport security check. Zoe Guy, Vulture, 21 July 2023

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

Middle English stanchon, from Anglo-French *stanchun, stançun, alteration of Old French estançon, diminutive of estance stay, prop

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stanchion was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near stanchion

Cite this Entry

“Stanchion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stanchion. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

stanchion

noun
stan·​chion ˈstan-chən How to pronounce stanchion (audio)
1
: an upright bar, post, or support
2
: a device that fits loosely around an animal's neck and limits forward and backward motion (as in a stall)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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