Illustration of joist
- J joist
joist
noun
ˈjȯist 
: any of the small timbers or metal beams ranged parallel from wall to wall in a structure to support a floor or ceiling
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web To find the joist, simply look through the cracks between the boards. 
Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2022 Essentially, these sturdy structural parts of a room, like a backing or ceiling joist, are ideal for suspension. Kelly Allen, House Beautiful, 10 Aug. 2022 Mark the shims against the edge of the joist using a pencil, then remove them. Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 July 2022 Use a stud finder to locate the joist from above the floor. Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 July 2022 On a recent visit, Rao and his colleagues selected twenty-eight joist samples. Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 6 May 2022 Inside, the ceiling was lowered to 9 feet to accommodate a new attic joist and firewall while offering a way for more efficient heating and cooling. Mary Colurso | Mcolurso@al.com, al, 16 Apr. 2022 The hardware must be secured into a ceiling joist for proper support. Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Feb. 2022 Davis, Brody’s load-bearing masonry walls spalled; wood joist floors sagged. New York Times, 4 Feb. 2022 See More
Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2022 Essentially, these sturdy structural parts of a room, like a backing or ceiling joist, are ideal for suspension. Kelly Allen, House Beautiful, 10 Aug. 2022 Mark the shims against the edge of the joist using a pencil, then remove them. Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 July 2022 Use a stud finder to locate the joist from above the floor. Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 July 2022 On a recent visit, Rao and his colleagues selected twenty-eight joist samples. Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 6 May 2022 Inside, the ceiling was lowered to 9 feet to accommodate a new attic joist and firewall while offering a way for more efficient heating and cooling. Mary Colurso | Mcolurso@al.com, al, 16 Apr. 2022 The hardware must be secured into a ceiling joist for proper support. Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Feb. 2022 Davis, Brody’s load-bearing masonry walls spalled; wood joist floors sagged. New York Times, 4 Feb. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English giste, joiste, from Anglo-French giste, from Vulgar Latin *jacitum, from Latin jacēre to lie — more at adjacent
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
joist
noun
ˈjȯist
: any of the small timbers or metal beams laid crosswise in a building to support a floor or ceiling