plural shelves
ˈshelvz 
1
a
: a thin flat usually long and narrow piece of material (such as wood) fastened horizontally (as on a wall) at a distance from the floor to hold objects
b
: one of several similar pieces in a closet, bookcase, or similar structure
c
: the contents of a shelf
the author of a shelf of bestsellers
2
: something resembling a shelf in form or position: such as
a
: a sandbank or ledge of rocks usually partially submerged
b
: a flat projecting layer of rock
c
: the submerged gradually sloping border of a continent or island : continental shelf
Examples of shelf in a Sentence
Put the vase on the shelf.
the top shelf of the kitchen cabinet
Will you get that book down off the shelf?
We don't have much shelf space.
Recent Examples on the Web
This elegant furniture piece boasts adjustable shelves, offering a neat and sophisticated storage solution for your footwear.
—
Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2024
Additional wall decor ideas include sconces and floating shelves to display apothecary jars or pottery.
—Amelia Mularz, Architectural Digest, 19 Nov. 2024
These are the very items that have become increasingly difficult for shoppers to access, as they are often locked behind glass shelves in brick-and-mortar stores.
—Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
This avoids the trouble of scouring the shelves for a particular book.
—Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 11 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shelf 
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.
Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2024
Additional wall decor ideas include sconces and floating shelves to display apothecary jars or pottery.
—Amelia Mularz, Architectural Digest, 19 Nov. 2024
These are the very items that have become increasingly difficult for shoppers to access, as they are often locked behind glass shelves in brick-and-mortar stores.
—Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
This avoids the trouble of scouring the shelves for a particular book.
—Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 11 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shelf
Dictionary Entries Near shelf
Cite this Entry
“Shelf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shelf. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shelf
noun
plural shelves
ˈshelvz
1
: a flat piece (as of wood or metal) set parallel to and above a floor (as on a wall or in a bookcase) to hold objects
2
: something (as a sandbar or ledge of rock) that suggests a shelf
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share