ridgepole

or ridge pole

[ rij-pohl ]

noun

1. the horizontal timber or member at the top of a roof, to which the upper ends of the rafters are fastened.

ridgepole

/ ˈrɪdʒˌpəʊl /

noun

1. a timber laid along the ridge of a roof, to which the upper ends of the rafters are attached
2. the horizontal pole at the apex of a tent

Other Words From

• ridgepoled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ridgepole¹

First recorded in 1780–90; ridge + pole ¹

Example Sentences

Alex Stadel, a structural engineer from Keast & Hood, devised the custom base, which looks like two unfurled umbrellas, standing upright and connected by a ridgepole, adding some upright poles on tracks for additional flexibility.

From New York Times

Ace Hardware offers one called the Fulton Thrift Sawhorse Bracket that fits over two legs and clamps onto a third two-by-four to make a ridgepole.

From Washington Post

It has a frame of forks and ridgepoles, and is covered with guanaco skins.

From Project Gutenberg

One of the boat's masts was used for a ridgepole, and the oars for rafters.

From Project Gutenberg

She had left the lantern lit and it swung from a rope tied to the ridgepole of the tent, and beyond the half partition of canvas.

From Project Gutenberg