1. a handrail with its supporting posts along the side of a staircase

Examples

• She gripped the banister tightly as she walked down the steep stairs.
• The wooden banister was polished to a smooth shine.
• Children often slide down the banister when no one is watching.
• The ornate iron banister was the centerpiece of the grand staircase.
• He installed a new banister to make the stairs safer.
• The banister wobbled slightly under pressure and needed repair.