: any of the parallel beams that support a roof
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
Zach Harper, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Occasionally, breakfast proceedings would be interrupted by a cheeky monkey sitting up on the rafters, and staffers would be on high alert with their wild gesticulating, causing tittering among diners.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
The second men’s player to have his jersey number retired to the rafters in Gampel Pavilion, Hamilton’s 14-year NBA career featured a pair of Finals appearances with the Detroit Pistons.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2026
The drought that has plagued much of the Chesapeake Bay’s watershed during the first half of this year is causing strains to drinking water supplies, hurting crop output and leaving many rafters and boaters high and dry.
—Jeremy Cox, Baltimore Sun, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rafter
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Noun
That happened back in December in Las Vegas, with the Knicks walking away with a 124-113 win, an extra $500k per player, a banner in the rafters of Madison Square Garden and the NBA Cup itself.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Occasionally, breakfast proceedings would be interrupted by a cheeky monkey sitting up on the rafters, and staffers would be on high alert with their wild gesticulating, causing tittering among diners.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
The second men’s player to have his jersey number retired to the rafters in Gampel Pavilion, Hamilton’s 14-year NBA career featured a pair of Finals appearances with the Detroit Pistons.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2026
The drought that has plagued much of the Chesapeake Bay’s watershed during the first half of this year is causing strains to drinking water supplies, hurting crop output and leaving many rafters and boaters high and dry.
—Jeremy Cox, Baltimore Sun, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rafter
Cite this Entry
“Rafter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rafter. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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