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railing

railing

14 1.6
A row of bars and posts along an edge, like on stairs or balconies, to stop people from falling
  • noun
  • /ˈreɪlɪŋ/
translation icon : barandilla
  • Before painting, make sure to clean the railing to remove any dirt or dust.
  • iron railing

I look up on the railing of the balcony above me.

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Examples

  • I look up on the railing of the balcony above me.

  • The children held onto the railing as they carefully walked down the stairs.

  • Two hands on the railing and we're down.

  • But yeah, I think we'll add in one more railing so that he can actually reach them.

  • And we'll also clamp it onto the railing up there.

  • Sometimes we sit on the railings and gaze at the lights of the city reflected in the water.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Louis stands at the railings in the morning mist as the ship moves down the river.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • That's why it's very important to always use the railings, and to label your videos properly.

  • Here and there, the plaster was peeling, and the balcony railings were rusty.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • She decorated the railing of the balcony with flowers for the party.

Synonyms

rail
vsrailing
157 1.9

A long bar fixed for people to hold or as a fence

is a specific edge barrier combining posts and bars to prevent falls
banister
vsrailing
17 2.7

A rail at the side of stairs or a balcony that people hold to stop them from falling

is a wider protective structure of posts and horizontal bars
guardrail
vsrailing
17 3.4

A strong railing at the edge of places like roads and bridges that stops people or vehicles from falling

is mainly a human-protection barrier, not primarily for vehicle safety
handrail
vsrailing
11 1.8

A bar fixed beside stairs or a balcony that you hold for support

is a broader barrier of horizontal bars and posts at edges
bannister
vsrailing
  • UK
11 3.4

A handrail at the side of stairs that people hold for support

is a general edge barrier made of horizontal bars and posts
balustrade
vsrailing
3 8.1

A railing with short vertical posts along a staircase or balcony to stop people falling

is a plain horizontal-bar barrier used mainly to mark and protect edges
handrailing
vsrailing
1 2.9

A rail you hold for support on stairs or ramps

is a broader barrier serving both support and edge marking
safety rail
vsrailing
1 2.3

A strong bar along stairs or platforms that stops people from falling

is a general edge barrier that can be less heavy duty

How Protective

guardrail
17 3.4
barrier
163 2.8
fence
567 1.0
railing
14 1.6
handrail
11 1.8

Surface Forms

railing singular
railings plural

Morphology

railing = rail (semi-transparent) = rail + ing

The word is clearly built from rail + -ing, but the noun-forming use is only partly predictable for learners.

Etymology

Railing comes from the simple word rail, which once meant 'bar' or 'rod' — a long piece you can hold or lean on. So a railing is a group of rails that make a barrier or support at the edge of stairs, balconies, or platforms.