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

Granny doesn’t have all the shingles in her own rafters and has been in a feud with her sister. —Randy Myers, Mercury News, 20 June 2025

In 2015, Minnesota traded for Sylvia Fowles and added another two championship banners to the rafters that season and in 2017. —Chantel Jennings, New York Times, 16 June 2025

Brown read those lyrics, made famous by Frank Sinatra, on May 24 at the Performing Arts Center, packed to the rafters with season ticket holders, longtime fans of the concert series and some newcomers. —Anita Gosch, Oc Register, 15 June 2025

Now, all that’s left is another jersey to be hung in the rafters at Wintrust Arena, where Quigley is already memorialized in the DePaul Hall of Fame. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2025

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