The term 'truss' is defined as:

• A. an engineered, prefabricated roof or floor support structure
• B. a vertical support for stairs
• C. a curved beam in arches
• D. a decorative ridge piece

Answer: (A)

A truss is an engineered, prefabricated framework used to support roofs or floors. It’s made of straight members joined at joints to form triangular units, which provides stiffness and distributes loads efficiently across the span. Because loads travel through many members, trusses use less material than a solid beam while still carrying substantial weight, and they’re often built off-site and installed as a complete unit. This differs from a vertical support for stairs, which would be a post, a curved beam in arches, which relates to arch construction, or a decorative ridge piece, which is ornamental trim rather than structural.