balustrades
|bə-ˈlʌs-treɪdz|
/bəˈlʌs.treɪdz/
(balustrade)
railing made of balusters
Etymology
'balustrade' originates from Italian and French, specifically the Italian word 'balaustra' (and the French 'balustrade'), where 'balaustra' referred to the pomegranate flower shape that inspired the form.
'balustrade' changed from Italian 'balaustra' (via French 'balustrade' and the related noun 'baluster') and eventually became the modern English word 'balustrade' by way of early modern architectural usage.
Initially it was associated with the pomegranate blossom shape (the origin of the term for the turned short pillar), but over time it came to mean the short pillars (balusters) themselves and the railing formed by them; today it denotes the entire railing or parapet.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural form of 'balustrade'.
The balustrades along the terrace were carved from stone.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a railing supported by a series of balusters; especially an ornamental parapet on a balcony, bridge, or terrace.
Historic houses often feature stone balustrades on their staircases.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/08 16:14