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banisters

British  
/ ˈbænɪstəz /

plural noun

  1. the railing and supporting balusters on a staircase; balustrade

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of banisters

C17: altered from baluster

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.

Along the banisters were motion-activated lights - one wrong step and they would flare on, announcing their presence.

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026

Marion says her rule of thumb for banisters or stairs is to measure the length, then add 50 percent; so, if your banister is 12 feet long, add six and order 18 feet of garland.

From Washington Post • Dec. 1, 2022

Armed with a set of spoons, he battered them against every available surface — from his knees, teeth and cheeks to pillars, sidewalks and banisters — scooping rhythmic staccatos out of thin air.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 28, 2021

CAPABLE, deploying its multi-specialty team and a modest budget of $1,300 per household for repairs, equipment and installation, offers low-income residents not only bathroom equipment but also kitchen grabbers, well-anchored banisters and other useful articles.

From New York Times • Apr. 23, 2021

She skimmed the banisters, emerging into the portico below a stained-glass dome.

From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer