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rafter

/ˈræftər/
/ˈrɑftə/
IPA guide

Other forms: rafters; raftered; raftering

A rafter is a long board that supports the peak of a roof. If your bedroom is in the attic of your house, you can lie in bed staring up at the rafters.

Rafters are a type of beam, a heavy supportive board that holds up whatever is above it in a building. Some make the distinction that rafters support a roof, while beams support heavier loads (such as the floor of an upper story in a house). Most rafters are made of wood, and sometimes they're left visible in the ceiling as a design element. The word comes from a root related the the Old Norse raptr, "log."

Definitions of rafter
  1. noun
    one of several parallel sloping beams that support a roof
    synonyms: balk, baulk
    see moresee less
    type of:
    beam
    long thick piece of wood or metal or concrete, etc., used in construction
  2. verb
    provide (a ceiling) with rafters
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    type of:
    furnish, provide, render, supply
    give something useful or necessary to
  3. noun
    someone who travels by raft
    synonyms: raftman, raftsman
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    type of:
    traveler, traveller
    a person who changes location
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘rafter'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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