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

Lights can be hidden in channels in the beams that support the porch roof or those that act as rafter ties. — Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 7 Nov. 2026

Shunned by his own fans, spurned by the people who had previously cheered his every word, and ultimately left bellowing into the rafters of an echoing, empty mansion, Rhodes collapses into his own narcissistic madness. — Sasha Abramsky, Washington Post, 5 Nov. 2026

Between its Upper East Side location, Gaelic rafters, and portraits of 27 Club musicians, the place seemed tailor-made for Xennial dads. — Skyli Alvarez, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026

The evening also featured a special tribute to Styles, with Madison Square Garden raising a commemorative banner to the arena’s rafters. — Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 1 Nov. 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