balustrade
Balustrade (noun) means a railing along the edge of a staircase, balcony, terrace or bridge, supported by a row of short posts and acting as both a barrier and a decorative feature. Example: “She leaned on the stone balustrade and looked down at the garden.”
How to Use Balustrade
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA decorative railing along a staircase or balcony.
Neutral, common in architecture, property listings and interior design.
A baluster is one upright post; a balustrade is the whole railing made up of them plus the rail on top.
Trace the full origin ↓Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
She leaned on the stone _____ and looked down at the garden.
Etymology
From French balustrade, from Italian balaustro 'baluster', ultimately from Greek balaustion 'pomegranate flower', which the swelling shape of the posts resembles.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for balustrade
See all rhymes for balustrade →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a balustrade and a banister?
A banister is specifically the handrail of a staircase, and in loose use the whole stair railing. Balustrade is the broader architectural term for the complete railing assembly, on stairs or anywhere else, including balconies, terraces and bridges.
What is the difference between a baluster and a balustrade?
A baluster is a single vertical post, sometimes called a spindle. A balustrade is the finished structure: a row of balusters topped by a rail.