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

More than 120 campers and rafters were evacuated from a stretch of the Colorado River over the weekend of June 27 as one of more than a dozen large wildfires grew rapidly in the West. — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 29 June 2026

Vaughn’s jersey hangs in the rafters of Allen Fieldhouse following a jersey retirement ceremony in December 2002. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2026

In the summer of 2023, after his death, Verlaine’s book collection went on sale — two Brooklyn garages packed to the rafters with books on art, physics, UFOs, theosophy, anything. — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 24 June 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

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