noun
banister
BA-nihst
Banister (noun) means the handrail running along the side of a staircase, or one of the upright posts supporting it. Example: “The children loved sliding down the banister when their parents weren't looking.”
noun
1
The handrail running along the side of a staircase, or one of the upright posts supporting it.
"The children loved sliding down the banister when their parents weren't looking."
"He gripped the banister tightly as he climbed the dark stairs."
How to use banister
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe rail (and its supporting posts) you hold onto going up or down stairs.
Common mistake
Also commonly spelled "bannister" with two n's — both spellings are in wide use, though "banister" is more standard.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- banisters
- Third person singular
- banisters
- Past tense
- banistered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The children loved sliding down the _____ when their parents weren't looking.
Etymology
An altered form of an earlier word derived from baluster, the term for the small decorative posts supporting a railing.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for banister
See all rhymes for banister →Frequently asked questions
What does “banister” mean?
The word “banister” means the handrail running along the side of a staircase, or one of the upright posts supporting it. In plain terms, the rail (and its supporting posts) you hold onto going up or down stairs.
How do you pronounce “banister”?
“Banister” is pronounced BA-nihst (/ˈbænɪstɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “banister” in a sentence?
Here is “banister” used in a sentence: “The children loved sliding down the banister when their parents weren't looking.”
What part of speech is “banister”?
“Banister” is a noun.
