joist

[ joist ]

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

/ 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

verb

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

Other Words From

• joistless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of joist¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of joist¹

C14: from Old French giste beam supporting a bridge, from Vulgar Latin jacitum (unattested) support, from jacēre to lie

Example Sentences

The composite decking products can sag if you space the floor joists too far apart.

From Seattle Times

The sophisticated wood artifacts from Schöningen join finds from just a scattering of other sites, such as 476,000-year-old wood joists from Zambia published last year and spears and other tools found elsewhere in Europe.

From Science Magazine

He discovered that the bandboard that caps the ends of his floor joists was rotting.

From Seattle Times

Normal dimensional floor joists are not always the exact same dimensions and often have crowns in them.

From Seattle Times

One big one is using roofing nails to attach joist hangers on decks or inside a home.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• stud