joist

noun

ˈjȯist 

: any of the small timbers or metal beams ranged parallel from wall to wall in a structure to support a floor or ceiling

Illustration of joist

• J joist

Examples of joist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Mud tunnels, or shelter tubes, about the width of a straw, on the foundation, floor joists, and other parts of the house are signs of a colony. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 27 June 2025

The flooring in your home is supported by wood joists. —Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 24 May 2025

The stair treads and risers are fastened to and held firm by stringers, which are analogous to the joists under a floor. —Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 24 May 2025

Seventeen wooden joists in the south-west corner’s terracing collapsed, sending those standing in the affected area through the floor, with some mangled in the steel and others plunging all the way to the ground. —Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 17 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English giste, joiste, from Anglo-French giste, from Vulgar Latin *jacitum, from Latin jacēre to lie — more at adjacent

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for joist

• foist
• hoist
• moist
• voiced
• rejoiced
• unvoiced

Kids Definition

joist

noun

ˈjȯist 

: a small beam laid crosswise to support a floor or ceiling