Construction of an outer column for a telescopic steering apparatus is achieved in which sufficient strength is maintained even when a steering lock apparatus is assembled, and smooth operation is maintained when making it possible to adjust the forward/backward position of a steering wheel, and when maintaining the adjusted position. Of the end sections 58a, 58b, 59a, 59b of the sub slit sections 52a, 52b of an approximately H-shaped slit 19a for expanding or contracting the inner diameter of a fitting support portion 31a of an outer column 11b, the rigidity of the nearest end section 58a portion that exists in the location closest to a lock through hole 37a and of the furthest end section 59a portion that exists in a location diagonally from the nearest end section 58a, is greater than the rigidity of the end sections 58b, 59b in the remaining two locations. Moreover, convex sections 61a, 61b are provided at two locations in the up/down direction on the outside surfaces of each of a pair of held plate sections 20a, 20b.