balustrade
|ba-lus-trade|
/bəˈlʌs.treɪd/
railing made of balusters
Etymology
'balustrade' originates from French 'balustrade', ultimately from Italian 'balaustrata' (from 'balaustra'), where 'balaustra' referred to the 'pomegranate flower' or bud — a reference to the bulbous shape of early balusters.
'balustrade' passed into English in the 17th century from French and Italian forms (Italian 'balaustrata' / French 'balustrade'), the English word formed from 'baluster' + the suffix '-ade' to denote a system or row of balusters.
Initially it referred broadly to the row or system of balusters (and their decorative form); over time it came to denote specifically the railing or parapet composed of those balusters (the protective or decorative barrier).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a railing supported by a series of small posts (balusters), especially on a balcony, bridge, terrace, or along a staircase.
They leaned on the balustrade and watched the boats in the harbour.
Synonyms
Noun 2
the row or system of balusters (the individual short columns) together with the top rail; the architectural feature as a unit.
The historic house features an ornate stone balustrade around the terrace.
Synonyms
Verb 1
to furnish, border, or enclose with a balustrade; to provide with balusters and a rail.
They balustraded the new balcony to match the period style of the house.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/08 15:46