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

The Estadio Azteca is unmatched when full to its rafters and the 80,000-plus crowd is behind the national team. — Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 1 July 2026

Other reinforcements, like adding hurricane straps to your rafters, retrofitting soffits and bracing roof trusses, can further reduce your risk of structural damage. — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 2 July 2026

He’ll be joined by Dell Curry, who’s probably still beaming from having his jersey retired in the Spectrum Center rafters in April. — Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 23 June 2026

The building is filled with banners similar to those that hang from the Madison Square Garden rafters for retired numbers, including one for each player on the current roster. — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026

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