balustrade
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of balustrade
1635–45; < French balustre baluster + -ade -ade 1; compare Spanish balaustrada, Italian balaustrata
Explanation
A balustrade is a row of spindles that support a railing. You're especially likely to notice balustrades on balconies or bridges. A small wooden or stone pillar or column is a baluster, like the balusters that support a stairway railing. A whole row of balusters lined up together comprise a balustrade. Balustrade is a French word that's rooted in the Italian balausta, "flower of the wild pomegranate," which has a double-curved stem shaped like a baluster.
Vocabulary lists containing balustrade
Art History
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The Castle
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"The Snow Queen" by Hans Christian Andersen
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The memorial, including three statues and a tiara-shaped glass balustrade for a bridge, is going to be built in St James's Park in central London, near Buckingham Palace.
From BBC • Jan. 22, 2026
A plush, red velvet fauteuil tucked into the lower right corner of the picture is like an upscale launching pad, which has propelled the man to the balustrade along a tall French window.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 4, 2025
The cabanas are now gone, and regulars may notice that, inside, the few steps leading to the dining room and the balustrade around it are, too.
From New York Times • Oct. 5, 2021
In one of the least weed-infested areas, a large formal pond — the Lower Pool — is framed by a high stone wall, with arched grottoes and capped with a balustrade.
From Washington Post • Aug. 17, 2021
Ash went to the edge of the balcony and looked down at the dancers, and Kaisa came and stood beside her, leaning on the wide marble balustrade.
From "Ash" by Malinda Lo
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
