baluster
1 synonym for baluster, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A short vertical post that forms part of a row supporting a handrail on a staircase or balcony.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use baluster
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
wooden balusters
staircase balusters
turned baluster
row of balusters
It is a standard architectural term, equally at home in a builder's estimate or an estate agent's listing.
Etymology
Baluster came into English from French balustre, which in turn came from Italian balaustro, meaning a pillar. That Italian word traces back through Latin and Greek terms for a wild pomegranate flower. The word is a doublet of banister.
Full origin of baluster →Frequently asked questions
What is a baluster used for?
It is one of a row of short posts that support a handrail, most often on a staircase or around a balcony.
Is a baluster the same as a banister?
Banister can name the same short post, though it more often refers to the whole handrail assembly.
Why is a baluster shaped the way it is?
Its name is borrowed via French and Italian from a Latin and Greek word for a wild pomegranate flower, though the shape link is about the word's history, not a documented claim about the post's form.
