shelf

noun

ˈshelf 

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

shelfful

ˈshelf-ˌfu̇l 

noun

shelflike

ˈshelf-ˌlīk 

adjective

see also:

off the shelf on the 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

Lisa Newton with Lucky Dawg Animal Rescue told WPVI that the nonprofit helped rescue kittens — who will soon be put up for adoption — after employees at a Lowe's in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, found the newborn felines on a high shelf at the store's garden center. —Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026

Macy's also adopted the use of pneumatic tubes to transport cash and receipts throughout the store and other innovations for tracking inventory and stocking shelves still used by department stores today. —Randy Tucker, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026

With Bader and Oliva both on the shelf, Gilbert stands to get the majority of playing time in center field in the short term. —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026

Inside, the hotel’s past life as a cinema lives on through the check-in desk doubling as a retro video rental counter, and the quirky collection of VHS tapes stocked on the lobby shelves. —Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, probably from Old English scylfe; akin to Old Norse hlīthskjalf Odin's seat

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing shelf

• continental shelf
• ice shelf
• off the shelf
• on the shelf
• shelf fungus
• shelf ice
• shelf life
• shelf-stable
• sulfur shelf
• top-shelf

Rhymes for shelf

• elf
• self
• bookshelf
• herself
• himself
• hisself
• itself
• meself
• myself
• nonself
• oneself
• thyself

Kids Definition

shelf

noun

ˈshelf 

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

shelflike

ˈshel-ˌflīk 

adjective