Meaning & use
balustrades
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“balustrades” is a form of “balustrade”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounpluraltechnical
Railings made of a row of short posts topped by a rail, built along the edge of a balcony, bridge, stair or terrace.
Grammar: Plural form; the singular is balustrade: a stone balustrade, several balustrades.
Patterns
- balustrades along something
The grand staircase had carved wooden balustrades on both sides.
Tourists leaned on the stone balustrades to look out over the river.
The architect replaced the rusty metal balustrades with glass panels.
nounplural
The rows of posts and rail that fence a raised area for safety and decoration, considered as a design feature.
Grammar: Used when describing the look of a building: the villa's elegant balustrades.
Patterns
- decorative balustrades
The villa is known for its white balustrades and curved terraces.
Classical balustrades give the bridge a graceful look.
The owners restored the balustrades to their original Victorian style.
Word forms
| singular | balustrade |
|---|
Common combinations
- stone balustrades
- Stone balustrades lined the garden terrace.
- carved balustrades
- Carved balustrades decorate the old manor's staircase.
- glass balustrades
- Modern apartments often have glass balustrades on the balcony.
- ornate balustrades
- The palace is famous for its ornate balustrades.
- lean on the balustrades
- Guests leaned on the balustrades to watch the fireworks.
Synonyms and how they differ
- railings
- Railings is a plain everyday word for any fence-like barrier, while balustrades suggests a decorative row of posts.
- banisters
- Banisters refers to the handrail and posts along a staircase indoors, which is narrower than balustrades.
- parapets
- Parapets are low solid walls along a roof or bridge, whereas balustrades are open and made of posts.
Word family
- balustrade noun
- one railing of posts and a rail
- baluster noun
- a single post in such a railing
- balustraded adjective
- fitted with a balustrade
- banister noun
- the handrail and posts beside a staircase
Commonly confused: balustrades or banisters?
balustrades vs banisters
Banisters usually means the railing beside indoor stairs, but balustrades can also run along balconies, bridges and terraces.
Practice
Where would you most likely see stone balustrades?
Choose one answer.
Balustrades are railings of posts and a rail, found on stairs, terraces and balconies. They are not parts of appliances or machines.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “balustrades”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.