rafter

1 of 2

noun (1)

raf·​ter ˈraf-tər 

: any of the parallel beams that support a roof

raftered

ˈraf-tərd 

adjective

rafter

2 of 2

noun (2)

raft·​er ˈraf-tər 

1

: one who maneuvers logs into position and binds them into rafts

2

: one who travels by raft

Examples of rafter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Ruth Asawa in the living room of her home in the Noe Valley neighborhood of San Francisco around 1995, with clusters of her looped wire sculptures dangling from the rafters. —Hilarie M. Sheets, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025

Rows of spectators in Boston’s TD Garden, from the ice to the rafters, got to their feet in a standing ovation as American flags were unfurled throughout the crowd. —Story Hinckley, Christian Science Monitor, 29 Mar. 2025

The seven-time WNBA All-Star will become the third Sparks player to have her jersey hang in the rafters of Crypto.com Arena, joining Lisa Leslie (No. 9) and Penny Toler (No. 11). —Doug Feinberg, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025

Sell-tics The Boston Celtics championship banners hang in the rafters of TD Garden, with the newest addition of the 2024 banner. —Sara Salinas, CNBC, 21 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English ræfter; akin to Old Norse raptr rafter

Noun (2)

raft entry 2

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1741, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rafter

• after
• drafter
• laughter
• hereafter
• thereafter
• hereinafter
• thereinafter

Kids Definition

rafter

noun

raf·​ter

ˈraf-tər

: one of the usually sloping timbers that support a roof

raftered

-tərd

adjective