baluster

American  

[bal-uh-ster] / ˈbæl ə stər /

noun

1. Architecture. any of a number of closely spaced supports for a railing.

2. balusters, a balustrade.

3. any of various symmetrical supports, as furniture legs or spindles, tending to swell toward the bottom or top.

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baluster British  

/ ˈbæləstə /

noun

1. any of a set of posts supporting a rail or coping

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adjective

1. (of a shape) swelling at the base and rising in a concave curve to a narrow stem or neck

   a baluster goblet stem

Other Word Forms

• balustered adjective

Etymology

Origin of baluster

1595–1605; < French, Middle French balustre < Italian balaustro pillar shaped like the calyx of the pomegranate flower, ultimately < Latin balaustium < Greek balaústion pomegranate flower

Compare meaning

How does baluster compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• banister vs. baluster

Example Sentences

Have you ever wondered why your deck railing balusters don’t look so bad?

From Seattle Times

The primary bedroom suite can be reached by going down a spiral staircase with wrought-iron balusters created by Patrick Cardine, an acclaimed blacksmith and designer whose work can be seen at Washington National Cathedral.

From Washington Post

They raised the railing on the stairs by replicating and lengthening the balusters.

From Washington Post

They are designed for a baluster style of railing with pickets and can’t be used with all railing types.

From Seattle Times

The building still has a pair of wide elliptical stairways that still have their original walnut handrails, round newel posts and turned balusters.

From Washington Times