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 Knicks celebrated their first NBA championship in 53 years with a ring ceremony and raising a banner to the rafters. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

Embiid appeared to wonder during the national anthem where the Knicks' championship banner was hanging in the rafters as James sat nearby on the bench with his head bowed and hands clasped. — CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

On Tuesday night, the Garden rafters welcomed the only banner that matters. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026

Reaching it from the nearest road would have required a roughly 30-mile hike, so the couple flew into an airstrip used by rafters traveling the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. — Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 20 Oct. 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