Definition

A bannister is a railing that runs along the side of a staircase or balcony to provide support and safety.

Example

She held onto the bannister as she carefully walked down the stairs.

Conversation

Did you see the new bannister they installed on the stairs?

Yeah, it looks really nice and modern!

I think it makes the whole place feel more welcoming.

Absolutely! It's a great improvement.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Bannister → The word 'bannister' originates from the Middle English 'banistere', which is derived from the Old French 'bannière' (meaning a banner or flag) and 'est' (meaning a support or structure). The term originally referred to a support for a banner, which evolved to mean the handrail of a staircase. Thus, a bannister is a support structure for people using stairs.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'banner' ('bannière') that supports you as you go up or down the stairs — that's what a bannister does, it supports you on the staircase.

Visually Confused Words