1. One of the upright, usually rounded or vase-shaped supports of a balustrade or a railing at the side of a staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling.
2. An upright support, such as a furniture leg, having a similar shape of the vase-shaped support.
3. One of the supporting posts of a handrail. 3. A row of balusters,joined by a rail, serving as a fence or enclosure, for altars, balconies, stair-cases, terraces. tops of buildings, etc.

Balusters may be formed in several ways; for example, wood and stone can be shaped with the lathe, while concrete, plaster, iron, and plastics are usually formed with moldings and castings. The turned patterns, or old "shaped" examples, are used to make the molds.