: the act, sport, or pastime of traveling on a river or other body of water in a usually inflatable raft : the sport of rafting
But injuries can happen, just like with any other sport. For this reason, rafting might not be everyone's cup of tea …—
Aislinn Sarnacki
Aislinn SarnackiSo maybe white-water rafting is not your ticket. Maybe you'd like some water sport that does not entail hurtling down an angry river at stomach-churning speeds.—Michael D. Burke
Michael D. BurkeA measure from Sen. Lawrence Childers … would provide immunity from lawsuits to outfitters of paddle sports—such as rafting and canoeing—because of "the inherent risks of paddle sport activities."—Tim Hoover
Tim HooverExamples of rafting in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Stephanie Vermillion, Outside, 4 Jan. 2026
Thrill-seekers in your group will get a rush out of whitewater rafting and kayaking.
—Bill Bootz, Charlotte Observer, 30 Dec. 2025
The main square of the expedition town of Futaleufú is lined with gear shops, hostels, and adventure travel companies like Patagonia Elements, Eleven's outfitter for white-water rafting.
—Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 26 Dec. 2025
The new first-of-its-kind attraction coming to Dollywood will take riders into the Smoky Mountains on a soaring nighttime flight that turns into a roller coaster ride and then a whitewater rafting excursion before concluding with a mysterious dark ride across a shimmering lake.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rafting
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Make the most of the climate with whitewater rafting on the American River, or pair Vitamin D with a dose of fresh fare.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Outside, 4 Jan. 2026
Thrill-seekers in your group will get a rush out of whitewater rafting and kayaking.
—Bill Bootz, Charlotte Observer, 30 Dec. 2025
The main square of the expedition town of Futaleufú is lined with gear shops, hostels, and adventure travel companies like Patagonia Elements, Eleven's outfitter for white-water rafting.
—Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 26 Dec. 2025
The new first-of-its-kind attraction coming to Dollywood will take riders into the Smoky Mountains on a soaring nighttime flight that turns into a roller coaster ride and then a whitewater rafting excursion before concluding with a mysterious dark ride across a shimmering lake.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rafting
Cite this Entry
“Rafting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rafting. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share