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

On a summer afternoon in 1971, college students Joyce LePage and Loretta Salvadalena sat together at the ledge of a community pool. — Yana Johnson, NBC news, 29 July 2026

The lush grounds also include a 70-foot pool with an inset spa, a Baja ledge, and water features, along with a freestanding infrared sauna and meandering pathways winding through gardens and citrus groves. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 23 July 2026

Ferguson gravitates toward powder rooms, nightstands, and poolside ledges. — Colleen Sullivan, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 July 2026

Following the officer’s voice, the cat leaps up to a higher ledge, then up again to the railing near the roadway. — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 13 July 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