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Synonyms

joist

American  
[joist] / dʒɔɪst /

noun

  1. any of a number of small, parallel beams of timber, steel, reinforced concrete, etc., for supporting floors, ceilings, or the like.


verb (used with object)

  1. to furnish with or fix on joists.

joist British  
/ dʒɔɪst /

noun

  1. a beam made of timber, steel, or reinforced concrete, used in the construction of floors, roofs, etc See also rolled-steel joist

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (tr) to construct (a floor, roof, etc) with joists

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • joistless adjective

Etymology

Origin of joist

1325–75; Middle English giste < Old French < Latin *jacitum support, noun use of neuter of Latin jacitus (past participle of jacēre to lie), equivalent to jaci- variant stem + -tus past participle suffix

Explanation

A joist is a support that strengthens floors and ceilings in a house. Joists run horizontally, connecting with the studs in walls to give buildings a solid frame. You can't see the joists in a finished house or building, because they're inside the foundation, walls, or ceiling. Joists are usually made of wood, although they can also be concrete or steel, materials strong enough to provide support. Ceiling joists often connect to beams, which tend to be larger and run perpendicular to joists. Joist comes from the Old French word giste, "beam supporting a bridge," from the Latin iacere, "to rest."

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Vocabulary lists containing joist

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Water that enters alongside the fasteners creates larger and larger cracks over time, allowing more water to enter the joist, ultimately causing premature failure.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 3, 2023

The home was badly damaged and every roof joist was left burnt by the fire.

From BBC • Dec. 20, 2022

Put it in a ceiling joist or reinforced that particular area.

From Salon • Jul. 10, 2022

This same corrosion can be happening with any of the joist hangers and other structural framing connectors.

From Washington Post • May 24, 2022

He sized up a plank and laid it against what was left of a joist.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck