noun

balustrade

BAL-uh-strayd

Quiz me More like this

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.”

noun

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.

"She leaned on the stone balustrade and looked down at the garden."

"The original oak balustrade was stripped and re-oiled."

How to use balustrade

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA decorative railing along a staircase or balcony.

When to use it

Neutral, common in architecture, property listings and interior design.

Memory tip

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 ↓

Easily confused with

baluster banister → parapet →

Common pairings

stone balustrade glass balustrade balcony balustrade carved balustrade

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like balustrade.

Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.

Start vocabulary practice

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “balustrade” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

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.

Origin: French

Synonyms

View more →

railing banister parapet handrail balusters bannister

Related words

rail fence railing banister Bannister handrail parapet breastwork

Rhymes for balustrade

Ade made jade wade fade sade Bade Cade Dade trade blade spade

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.

What is the meaning of 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.

What is another word for balustrade?

Other words for "balustrade" include railing, banister, parapet, handrail, balusters, bannister.

People also searched

rail fence railing banister Bannister handrail parapet breastwork