handrail

noun

hand·​rail ˈhan(d)-ˌrāl How to pronounce handrail (audio)
Synonyms of handrailnext
: a narrow rail for grasping with the hand as a support

Examples of handrail in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There's one accessible suite with an entry ramp, adjacent parking, and an en suite bathroom with a shower handrail. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Oct. 2026 The 2021 inspection found two violations related to the handrails and TVs in the ride queue. — Christopher Harris, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 Damage to a walkway or handrail, by comparison, might remain unchanged until someone repairs it. — Emma Clapp, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026 Look for stairs without secure handrails, slippery surfaces, high tub walls and layouts that require awkward stepping or turning. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for handrail

Word History

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of handrail was in 1675

Rhymes for handrail

See All Rhymes for handrail

Browse Nearby Words

hand puppet
handrail
handrailing
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Handrail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handrail. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

handrail

noun
hand·​rail ˈhan-ˌdrāl How to pronounce handrail (audio)
: a narrow rail for grasping as a support (as on a staircase)

More from Merriam-Webster on handrail

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for handrail

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of milieu

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All