ledge

1 of 2

noun

ˈlej 

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

ˈle-jē 

adjective

ledgy

2 of 2

adjective

-jē 

-er/-est

: abounding in ledges : consisting of a ledge or reef

fields are ledgy in places

—E. B. White

Examples of ledge in a Sentence

Noun

birds perched on the ledge of a building

a ledge on the side of the mountain

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Video captured a woman leaping from an 11th-floor ledge into a firefighter’s arms to escape a high-rise fire. — Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 17 Aug. 2026

The agile climbers often spend their time hidden in trees or on rocky ledges, both of which can be found at the zoo. — Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2026

Fossil collectors report finding the teeth in coastal rivers or along seafloor ledges that have been scoured by storms and currents. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 16 Aug. 2026

Across the bay’s rocky ledges, orange fire coral grows in sheets alongside rose- and brown-hued starlet coral and Brazilian brain coral. — Sarah Bruning, Travel + Leisure, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English legge bar of a gate

First Known Use

Noun

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ledge

• dredge
• edge
• hedge
• pledge
• sedge
• sledge
• wedge
• allege
• straightedge

Kids Definition

ledge

noun

ˈlej 

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