railing

/ˈɹeɪlɪŋ/noun

A barrier made of horizontal bars held up by posts, used along stairs, balconies, or fences.

Example sentences

“Hold on to the railing as you go down the icy steps.”
“The toddler pressed his face between the railings to watch the boats.”

Often plural: 'he leaned on the railings'. Do not confuse it with the verb phrase 'railing against', which means protesting angrily.

Synonyms for railing

handrail
rail
balustrade

Related words

banisterThe rail you hold onto along the edge of a set of stairs.skylightA window set into a roof or ceiling that lets daylight into a room.fireplaceA recessed hearth built into a wall at the bottom of a chimney, where a fire can burn indoors.thresholdThe strip at the bottom of a doorway that you step over when entering a room or building.mantelThe shelf over a fireplace, which can also help support the chimney structure above it.doormatA rough mat placed outside a door where people can wipe the dirt off their shoes.