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

Radić enlisted his artist wife, Marcela Correa, to make the whimsical sculptures that hang from the rafters. — Mark Johanson, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2026

The neighbor, who was not named in the complaint, reported that the toddler was hanging in the basement from a rafter with a ligature around his neck and his feet off the ground, according to court documents. — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026

The boy was found by a neighbor hanging by the neck from a rafter in the basement, FOX 32 reported. — Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Then there were the churches, none greater than Pyongyang’s Central Presbyterian Church, which was packed to the rafters each week—even for Wednesday evening prayer meetings, which could draw standing-room crowds of 1,400 people. — Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 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