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
Noun
In the late afternoon, motor down this wooded detour to watch rafters float under the narrow Tunney Hunsaker Bridge in their neon polyvinyl boats for an epic photo op. Emily Pennington, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2024 While most of the ceremonies have gone smoothly, an owl fell asleep in a chapel’s rafters in 2013 and missed the big moment, while another of the raptors flew into the best man in 2018 and knocked him to the floor. Cathy Free, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024 With Hall of Fame coach Jay Wright in the house, the Wildcats (11-7, 4-3) put up a fight in front of nearly 20,000 fans at their NBA off-campus home, where three national championship banners hang in the rafters. Dan Gelston, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2024 The soaring ceiling in the great room pulls warm air and humidity up to the rafters, and the house was built to facilitate cross-breezes in the communal spaces. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 28 Feb. 2024 The stadium will be packed to the rafters with over 85,000 fans and millions more will be watching at home, in both Buenos Aires and beyond. Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 Jaromir Jagr had his number officially retired by the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday, as his ‘68’ was raised to the rafters at PPG Paints Arena. Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2024 The water world includes a massive humpback whale that swims above the arena while several jellyfish descend from the rafters. Bryan West, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2024 The owners of the No. 7 and No. 9 Red Wings jerseys that hang in the rafters of Little Caesars arena graced the cover together during the end of the 1957 season. Jared Ramsey, Detroit Free Press, 19 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rafter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near rafter

Cite this Entry

“Rafter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rafter. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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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