ledge

noun

1
: a raised or projecting edge or molding intended to protect or check
a window ledge
2
: an underwater ridge or reef especially near the shore
3
a
: a narrow flat surface or shelf
especially : one that projects from a wall of rock
We rappelled down the cliff and reached the ledge.
b
: rock that is solid or continuous enough to form ledges : bedrock
the field was full of ledge
4
: lode, vein
ledgy adjective

Examples of ledge in a Sentence

birds perched on the ledge of a building a ledge on the side of the mountain
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At the last minute, major Venezuelan officials backed off the ledge. Zach Dorfman, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2024 While visiting her son's memorial on a cliff in the woods, the grieving mother plans to kill herself until a man by the name of Richard (Finn Wittrock) talks her off the ledge. Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024 That is, until a handsome stranger who introduces himself as Richard (Finn Wittrock) shows up and quite literally talks her off the ledge. Megan McCluskey, TIME, 25 Oct. 2024 On October 7th, at 9:16 p.m., patrol officers responded to reports of a man experiencing mental health crisis sitting on a ledge high above the train tracks near 2nd Avenue Exit and East Jackson Street. Kerry Breen, CBS News, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ledge 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English legge bar of a gate

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ledge was in 1535

Dictionary Entries Near ledge

Cite this Entry

“Ledge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ledge. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

ledge

noun
1
: a projecting ridge or raised edge along a surface
2
: an underwater ridge or reef especially near the shore
3
: a narrow flat surface or shelf
especially : one that sticks out from a wall of rock

More from Merriam-Webster on ledge

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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