Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

banister

/ˈbænɪstɚ/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.52 in modern English

Syllables: ban-is-ter
IPA: /ˈbænɪstɚ/

10

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

3

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The rail on the side of a staircase that a person's hand holds onto.

noun

One of the vertical supports of such a handrail.

verb

To construct a banister.

Transitive verb

verb

To act as a banister.

Transitive verb

name

A surname originating as an occupation for a maker of baskets.

Countable; Uncountable

name

An unincorporated community and district in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, United States.

Countable; Uncountable

Example Sentences

"wooden banister"
"polished banister"
"lean on the banister"
"She slid down the wooden banister like a child."
"He grasped the banister as he climbed the stairs."

Etymology

Alteration of earlier barrester, ballester, corruptions of baluster.

Word Breakdown

Root: -

Usage

Inflected Forms

banisters (plural) bannister (alternative) banisters (present, singular) banistering (participle, present) banistered (participle, past) banistered (past)

Frequently Paired Words

newel balustrade baluster

Synonyms

handrail baluster bannister balustrade balusters

Rhymes With

cannister

Questions

How do you pronounce banister?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈbænɪstɚ/.
What does banister mean?: The rail on the side of a staircase that a person's hand holds onto.
Where does banister come from?: Alteration of earlier barrester, ballester, corruptions of baluster.

How to pronounce banister

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “banister”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈbænɪstɚ/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “banister”.
Repeat and practice — Say “banister” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.