newel

American  

[noo-uhl, nyoo-] / ˈnu əl, ˈnyu- /

noun

1. newel post.

2. a central pillar or upright from which the steps of a winding stair radiate.

3. (on an escalator) the horizontal section of railing at the upper or lower end.

---

newel British  

/ ˈnjuːəl /

noun

1. the central pillar of a winding staircase, esp one that is made of stone

2. See newel post

---

Etymology

Origin of newel

1325–75; earlier nuel, Middle English nowel < Middle French no ( u ) el kernel, newel < Late Latin *nucāle, noun use of neuter of nucālis of a nut, nutlike, equivalent to Latin nuc- (stem of nux ) nut + -ālis -al ¹

Explanation

A newel is a post or pole that supports a spiral staircase or one end of a flight of stairs. When you put your hand on the banister of a stairway, you can see that the banister is held in place by a newel. Newels are important structural elements of a stairway, providing the central support for a spiral staircase that winds around it, or holding up one end of a straight flight of stairs. Most newels are also decorative, with carved posts or fancy trim. Newel comes from the Old French word nouel, "knob or stone," from the Latin nodulus, the diminutive form of nodus, or "knot."

Example Sentences

Among the artefacts found in the house are two angels, carved from oak, which once stood as newel posts at the foot of the house's main stairway.

From BBC • Aug. 31, 2024

However, the newel post and railing had been replaced during a previous renovation and had a different stain that had yellowed over time, resulting in a kind of Franken-staircase.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 25, 2023

Twin elephants carry newel post lamps on the staircase.

From New York Times • Jun. 7, 2023

It has pine floors, large windows, period trim and stairs with a carved wooden newel post.

From Washington Post • Sep. 26, 2018

Each step was set on a center newel, and the steps fanned out from it.

From "The Door in the Wall" by Marguerite de Angeli

Related Words

• panel
• pole