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

Dean and his fellow rafters — his wife, brother- and sister-in-law and three friends — also learned Fletcher had been banned by the Idaho attorney general from running vacation or travel-related businesses in the state or to Idaho residents for 10 years. —Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 3 Nov. 2025

Video shows the monkey swinging through the rafters while wearing a diaper, according to Storyful. —Julia Gomez, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025

For 100 years, The Playhouse at the University of Louisville has entertained crowds beneath its striking 19th century rafters. —Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 29 Oct. 2025

Not to mention, her massive rock could be spotted no matter how near or far fans were to her suite section, dazzling so bright that ticket holders in the rafters could catch a glimpse. —Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 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