rafter

¹ American  

[raf-ter, rahf-] / ˈræf tər, ˈrɑf- /

noun

1. any of a series of timbers or the like, usually having a pronounced slope, for supporting the sheathing and covering of a roof.

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verb (used with object)

1. British Dialect. to plow (a field) so that the soil of a furrow is pushed over onto an unplowed adjacent strip.

rafter ² American  

[raf-ter, rahf-] / ˈræf tər, ˈrɑf- /

noun

1. a flock, especially of turkeys.

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rafter ³ American  

[raf-ter, rahf-] / ˈræf tər, ˈrɑf- /

noun

1. a person who engages in the sport or pastime of rafting.

2. a person who travels on a raft, especially to flee a country.

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rafter British  

/ ˈrɑːftə /

noun

1. any one of a set of sloping beams that form the framework of a roof

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Other Word Forms

• raftered adjective
• unraftered adjective

Etymology

Origin of rafter¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English rafter, raftre, ræfter “beam, pole, rafter,” Old English ræfter; cognate with Middle Dutch rachter, rafter “plank, beam,” Middle Low German rafter, rachter, Old Norse raptr “log” (in plural, “rafters”); See raft ¹

Origin of rafter¹

raft ² + -er ¹

Origin of rafter¹

First recorded in 1740–45; raft ¹ ( def. ) + -er ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

The hosts' 12th straight victory was roared to the rafters and belief is swelling that their run can carry them to a first title since 2020.

From BBC

In between I dreamed that I was floating in the air, right up near the rafters of the room.

From Literature

The garage door is open, and Ray is up on the ladder inspecting the dark ceiling rafters with a super-bright flashlight.

From Literature

The final round had both swinging for the rafters and the crowd rose to their feet in feverish anticipation.

From BBC

It’s stacked to the rafters with superior talent that leads Tesla by miles.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• beam