A rigid, horizontally extending structural member known as a cantilever is supported at only one end. Typically, it extends from a solidly affixed flat vertical surface, such as a wall. A cantilever can be built as a beam, plate, truss, or slab, just like other structural components.
The cantilever conveys the load to the support and applies a shear stress and a bending moment when subjected to a structural load at its distant, unsupported end.