variants also bannister
Definition of banisternext
as in railing
a protective barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and its supports a much-needed new banister for the rickety staircase

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of banister The staircase is a floating composition of wood treads, steel posts and glass banisters. Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 25 May 2026 Plan your visit to President Lincoln's Cottage At the cottage, visitors are invited to sit on 19th-century chairs and pull themselves up using the original wooden banister, unlike most historic homes. Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 3 May 2026 Over the banister, moonlight spilled across the foyer and illuminated a gloved hand reaching through the jagged hole in the window beside the front door. Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026 Its ascent is marked by an undulating golden mural, while a domed display cabinet built into the banister allows for a close encounter with Piaget creations. Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 8 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for banister
Recent Examples of Synonyms for banister
Noun
  • Now is the time to nail down loose boards, clean debris out of gaps and tighten loose railings.
    Alora Bopray, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Improvements would include repairing the aging triple cantilever and fixing drainage, railings and lighting.
    Elijah Westbrook, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Contributing factors to that could be a low number of axles, like with a solo locomotive, contaminants on the rails, or rust and other conditions that cause poor wheel-to-rail connections, according to the bulletin.
    Marni Pyke, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The Expo Line finally connected downtown to the ocean, a milestone for rail.
    Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Banister.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/banister. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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