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

Even as flames licked the rafters and debris began to drip down, some onlookers filmed on their phones while others kept dancing or talking over the music. —Alexander Smith, NBC news, 2 Jan. 2026

Their Kentucky warehouse is stacked to the rafters with empty barrels. —Bill Whitaker, CBS News, 28 Dec. 2025

This time in an ebony wig and black and silver pants ensemble, Cher, a pair of effervescent dancers and a trio of background singers plowed through the song as fake snow fell from the rafters. —Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 21 Dec. 2025

Who knows what lies beyond the rafters, after all? —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 7 Dec. 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