rafting

1 of 2

present participle of raft entry 2

rafting

2 of 2

noun

raft·​ing ˈraf-tiŋ How to pronounce rafting (audio)
: the act, sport, or pastime of traveling on a river or other body of water in a usually inflatable raft : the sport of rafting
But injuries can happen, just like with any other sport. For this reason, rafting might not be everyone's cup of tea …Aislinn Sarnacki
So maybe white-water rafting is not your ticket. Maybe you'd like some water sport that does not entail hurtling down an angry river at stomach-churning speeds.Michael D. Burke
A measure from Sen. Lawrence Childers … would provide immunity from lawsuits to outfitters of paddle sports—such as rafting and canoeing—because of "the inherent risks of paddle sport activities."Tim Hoover

Examples of rafting in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
There are professional-grade stables and fenced pastures equipped for both horses and bison, while fishing, hunting, rafting, horseback riding, and more can all be done on-site. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 10 July 2025 Expect brisk mornings and evenings with pleasantly warm, often sunny afternoons that set the stage for activities like rafting, hiking, or wildlife spotting. Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 2025 There's been ziplining, whitewater rafting, music festivals and scenic drives. Melonee Hurt, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 Perched along the Colorado River, the campsite is centrally located near trails, rivers, and routes perfect for mountain biking, whitewater rafting, off-roading, driving and hiking. Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for rafting

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1697, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rafting was in 1697

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Cite this Entry

“Rafting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rafting. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

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