BANISTER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does banister mean? 

• BANISTER (noun)
  The noun BANISTER has 1 sense:

1. a railing at the side of a staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling

  Familiarity information: BANISTER used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BANISTER (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A railing at the side of a staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

balusters; balustrade; banister; bannister; handrail

Hypernyms ("banister" is a kind of...):

barrier (a structure or object that impedes free movement)

Meronyms (parts of "banister"):

baluster (one of a number of closely spaced supports for a railing)

rail; railing (a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports)

Holonyms ("banister" is a part of...):

balcony (a platform projecting from the wall of a building and surrounded by a balustrade or railing or parapet)

 Context examples 

Here, leaning over the banister, I cried out suddenly, and without at all deliberating on my words—They are not fit to associate with me.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

She was the principal theme of our conversation during the evening: and when we parted for the night Steerforth called after me over the banisters, “Bob swore!” as I went downstairs.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Just as the party was setting out, Amy called over the banisters in a threatening tone, "You'll be sorry for this, Jo March, see if you ain't."

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Holding on to the banisters, she put him gently away, saying breathlessly, Oh, don't!

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

My dear! calling over the banisters to Mrs. Micawber, while Traddles looked (with reason) not a little amazed at this description of me.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

The steps and banisters were of oak; the staircase window was high and latticed; both it and the long gallery into which the bedroom doors opened looked as if they belonged to a church rather than a house.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Finding the door locked again, she left the note to do its work, and was going quietly away, when the young gentleman slid down the banisters, and waited for her at the bottom, saying, with his most virtuous expression of countenance, What a good fellow you are, Jo!

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Traddles accordingly did so, over the banister; and Mr. Micawber, not a bit changed—his tights, his stick, his shirt-collar, and his eye-glass, all the same as ever—came into the room with a genteel and youthful air.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

The hall, too, was scoured; and the great carved clock, as well as the steps and banisters of the staircase, were polished to the brightness of glass; in the dining-room, the sideboard flashed resplendent with plate; in the drawing-room and boudoir, vases of exotics bloomed on all sides.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

I also took the opportunity of my holding a candle over the banisters to light them down, when Mr. Micawber was going first, leading Mrs. Micawber, and Traddles was following with the cap, to detain Traddles for a moment on the top of the stairs.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)