noun
- a horizontal beam that supports a floor or ceiling
Usage: construction
verb
- to fit or furnish with joists
Usage: construction; technical
Examples
- The carpenter installed new joists to support the second floor.
- Several joists had rotted and needed replacement.
- The ceiling joists were spaced sixteen inches apart.
- They reinforced the floor joists before adding the heavy equipment.
- The contractor will joist the basement ceiling tomorrow.
- Exposed wooden joists gave the room a rustic appearance.