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

Vaughn — who played at KU four seasons (1993-94 through 1996-97) and had his jersey No. 11 hung in the Allen Fieldhouse rafters on Dec. 31, 2002 — if details are finalized would replace Roberts, who announced his retirement on May 5 after 14 seasons at KU and 37 total years in the business. —Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 21 May 2025

There’s the potential for corruption, as Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren and other critics have been shouting from the rafters. —Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 20 May 2025

Finally, the Liberty got to enjoy the final piece of last year’s thrilling WNBA Finals run by watching the elusive title banner rise up to the rafters before Saturday’s 92-78 season-opening win against the Las Vegas Aces. —Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 18 May 2025

Behind a locked door is a storage area known as the vault, which is lined with shelves packed to the rafters with 25,000 to 30,000 bottles. —Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 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