shelve

1 of 2

verb

ˈshelv 

shelved; shelving

transitive verb

1

: to furnish with shelves

2

: to place on a shelf

shelve books

3

a

: to remove from active service

b

: to put off or aside

shelve a project

intransitive verb

: to slope in a formation like a shelf

shelver noun

shelver

2 of 2

noun

shelv·​er

və(r)

plural -s

: one that shelves (as books in a library)

Synonyms of shelve

Verb

• postpone
• delay
• defer

Examples of shelve in a Sentence

Verb

The books were shelved according to category.

let's shelve the project for now

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Musk once touted onstage but reportedly shelved in favor of the Cybercab, a robotaxi without a steering wheel. — Tim Levin, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026

In November 2023, Warners shelved the movie, which was based on the 1990 New Yorker article by Ian Frazier, receiving a $30 million tax write-off. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 23 July 2026

All these vehicles have seen showroom traffic slow to a crawl, so the automakers are scaling back or shelving their offerings in the segment (with the focus turning to smaller, more efficient vehicles that can be built and sold profitably). — Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

However, Israeli officials told CNN Netanyahu shelved the legislation amid concern over international backlash. — Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

shelf

First Known Use

Verb

1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for shelve

• delve
• twelve

Kids Definition

shelve

verb

ˈshelv 

shelved; shelving

1

: to place on a shelf

shelve books

2

: to put off or aside : defer

shelve a project

shelver noun