rafting

1 of 2
Synonyms of raftingnext

present participle of raft entry 2

rafting

2 of 2

noun

raft·​ing ˈraf-tiŋ How to pronounce rafting (audio)
: the act, sport, or pastime of traveling on a river or other body of water in a usually inflatable raft : the sport of rafting
But injuries can happen, just like with any other sport. For this reason, rafting might not be everyone's cup of tea …Aislinn Sarnacki
So maybe white-water rafting is not your ticket. Maybe you'd like some water sport that does not entail hurtling down an angry river at stomach-churning speeds.Michael D. Burke
A measure from Sen. Lawrence Childers … would provide immunity from lawsuits to outfitters of paddle sports—such as rafting and canoeing—because of "the inherent risks of paddle sport activities."Tim Hoover

Examples of rafting in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Our guide Lusine didn’t miss a beat, telling us about Armenia’s exports of precious metals, tea and brandy, and how river rafting was best from May to October. Marlise Kast-Myers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026 This process, known as stacking or rafting, can sometimes require guests to pass through other ships to reach shore, something that can be tricky for those who have difficulty walking. Janice Wald Henderson, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026 Those same faculty provide after-school programming as well as trips around the state, from snowboarding to white-water rafting. Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 31 Jan. 2026 Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts are spoiled for choice, with opportunities for hiking through cloud forests, river rafting, wildlife watching, and fishing. Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rafting

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1697, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rafting was in 1697

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Cite this Entry

“Rafting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rafting. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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