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

In 10 years as head coach, Moe led the Nuggets to 432 regular-season wins, a number immortalized today in the rafters of Ball Arena. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 17 Feb. 2026

Perched in the rafters of one gallery are two large dolls in the style of these figurines. —Sharon Mizota, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026

Two rafters stranded on the San Lorenzo River in Santa Cruz County were rescued Monday, authorities said. —Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026

Michigan honored Naz Hillmon, the school's first woman to earn AP All-America honors in 2022, by raising a banner with her name and number (00) to the rafters. —ABC News, 15 Feb. 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