Illustration of newel
- newel 2
newel
noun
new·el ˈnü-əl 
ˈnyü-
1
: an upright post about which the steps of a circular staircase wind
2
: a post at the foot of a straight stairway or one at a landing
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web If your loft space came with a spiral staircase that leads to the bedroom, highlight it with a vintage newel post as HGTV star Alison Victoria did in her new Atlanta loft. 
Kelly Allen, House Beautiful, 30 Aug. 2022 To give your stairs a simple facelift, consider replacing the newel (the vertical support at the center of a circular staircase or the post that supports a handrail at the bottom of a straight staircase) to anchor the landing. Caitlin Sole, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Aug. 2022 Its handrails, designed by local artists David and Eli Hess, are made of 129 balusters and newel posts, some new and some reclaimed from other buildings, but each different. Chris Kaltenbach, baltimoresun.com, 17 Nov. 2019 Even the circular staircase in the Wagner House—intact, despite an addition that doubled the house’s size—has the narrow paneling wrapping around a rustic log newel post. Alexandra Lange, Curbed, 9 Aug. 2018 Thanks to the Industrial Revolution, intricate spindles, newel posts and columns were all spun by the thousands on mechanical lathes, then offered in catalogs to prospective owners. Steve Carney, latimes.com, 16 June 2018 The owner used his highest end fixtures in the home. Don't miss the amazing door hardware throughout or the Aurora newel post lamp. Elizabeth Finkelstein, Country Living, 5 Feb. 2018 Fortunately, original features were preserved underneath these midcentury materials, and torn out moldings, mantels, balusters, newels, pilasters and built-in cabinets were found in scrap piles in the basement. Janet Eastman, OregonLive.com, 5 Feb. 2018 The coffered ceiling has a new color scheme accented by torchiere lamps beaming up from the balcony's newel posts. Janelle Gelfand And Mark Wert, Cincinnati.com, 1 Oct. 2017 See More
Kelly Allen, House Beautiful, 30 Aug. 2022 To give your stairs a simple facelift, consider replacing the newel (the vertical support at the center of a circular staircase or the post that supports a handrail at the bottom of a straight staircase) to anchor the landing. Caitlin Sole, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Aug. 2022 Its handrails, designed by local artists David and Eli Hess, are made of 129 balusters and newel posts, some new and some reclaimed from other buildings, but each different. Chris Kaltenbach, baltimoresun.com, 17 Nov. 2019 Even the circular staircase in the Wagner House—intact, despite an addition that doubled the house’s size—has the narrow paneling wrapping around a rustic log newel post. Alexandra Lange, Curbed, 9 Aug. 2018 Thanks to the Industrial Revolution, intricate spindles, newel posts and columns were all spun by the thousands on mechanical lathes, then offered in catalogs to prospective owners. Steve Carney, latimes.com, 16 June 2018 The owner used his highest end fixtures in the home. Don't miss the amazing door hardware throughout or the Aurora newel post lamp. Elizabeth Finkelstein, Country Living, 5 Feb. 2018 Fortunately, original features were preserved underneath these midcentury materials, and torn out moldings, mantels, balusters, newels, pilasters and built-in cabinets were found in scrap piles in the basement. Janet Eastman, OregonLive.com, 5 Feb. 2018 The coffered ceiling has a new color scheme accented by torchiere lamps beaming up from the balcony's newel posts. Janelle Gelfand And Mark Wert, Cincinnati.com, 1 Oct. 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English nowell, from Anglo-French nuel, noel stone of a fruit, stone cut to form a newel, from Late Latin nucalis like a nut, from Latin nuc-, nux nut — more at nut
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
newel
noun
new·el ˈnü-əl
ˈnyü-
: a post at the bottom or at a turn of a stairway