ridgepole

UK: /ˈrɪdʒˌpəʊl/ US: (rij′pōl′)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

ridge•pole  (rij′pōl′), n. 

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

Also, ridge′ pole′. Also called ridge•piece  (rij′pēs′), ridge′ board′. See diag. under queen post. 

• ridge + pole¹ 1780–90

ridge′poled′, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

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