ice shelf
noun
: shelf ice
In 2002, a Rhode Island-size section of an ice shelf crumbled into the sea.—
Joe McGowan
Joe McGowanExamples of ice shelf in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Those grooves trap water, causing the ice shelves to melt faster, accelerating ice flow into the sea.
—
Alex Knapp,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2026
Using radar instruments, the researchers tracked the vertical movements of floating ice shelves caused by ocean tides.
—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Lake Superior is so powerful that an ice shelf can be crushed to pieces within minutes.
—
Stephanie Pearson,
Outside,
19 Feb. 2026
Anchored to the ocean floor, the curtain would act as a physical barrier, limiting the flow of warm seawater that melts the ice shelf from below.
—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ice shelf
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Alex Knapp,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2026
Using radar instruments, the researchers tracked the vertical movements of floating ice shelves caused by ocean tides.
—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Lake Superior is so powerful that an ice shelf can be crushed to pieces within minutes.
—
Stephanie Pearson,
Outside,
19 Feb. 2026
Anchored to the ocean floor, the curtain would act as a physical barrier, limiting the flow of warm seawater that melts the ice shelf from below.
—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ice shelf
Cite this Entry
“Ice shelf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ice%20shelf. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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