A stanchion is kind of like a really strong pole or stick that's used to separate people or things from each other. Have you ever seen ropes or barriers set up at a museum, amusement park, or airport? Those are usually made by connecting a bunch of stanchions together!
Stanchions can be made out of all different kinds of materials, like metal or plastic. They're usually pretty tall so that people can see them from far away, but they're not too thick or bulky so that they don't take up too much space.
Stanchions are really useful because they help to control where people go and what they do. If you're waiting in line for a ride at an amusement park, for example, stanchions can make sure that everyone stays in a neat and orderly line so that nobody cuts in front of you. Or if you're at an airport, stanchions can help guide you to the right place and make sure that you don't accidentally wander into a place where you're not supposed to be.
Overall, stanchions might not seem like a big deal, but they're actually really important for keeping people safe and organized in all kinds of different places!