rafter

1 of 2

noun (1)

raf·​ter ˈraf-tər How to pronounce rafter (audio)
: any of the parallel beams that support a roof
raftered adjective

rafter

2 of 2

noun (2)

raft·​er ˈraf-tər How to pronounce rafter (audio)
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
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Noun
As Pink launched herself into the rafters of Radio City Music Hall to sing a Broadway medley at the Tonys, an even gayer event was unfolding 50 blocks downtown. Caroline Framke, Vulture, 8 June 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for rafter

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of rafter was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rafter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rafter. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

rafter

noun
raf·​ter
ˈraf-tər
: one of the usually sloping timbers that support a roof
raftered
-tərd
adjective

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