rafter

1 of 2

noun (1)

raf·​ter ˈraf-tər How to pronounce rafter (audio)
: any of the parallel beams that support a roof
raftered adjective

rafter

2 of 2

noun (2)

raft·​er ˈraf-tər How to pronounce rafter (audio)
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
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.
Noun
The walk from the locker room to the court at Wintrust Arena, her wife’s DePaul jersey hanging in the rafters. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025 This roster has one NBA player and lost a star in Isaiah Stevens, whose number belongs in the rafters — and got better. Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2025 Listen to this article Red and white confetti fell from the Madison Square Garden rafters. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2025 Pendants from Philadelphia schools frame the windows; T-shirts and jerseys hang from the rafters. Ali Watkins, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rafter

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of rafter was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rafter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rafter. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

rafter

noun
raf·​ter
ˈraf-tər
: one of the usually sloping timbers that support a roof
raftered
-tərd
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on rafter

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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