bookshelf

noun

book·​shelf ˈbu̇k-ˌshelf How to pronounce bookshelf (audio)
: an open shelf for holding books

Examples of bookshelf in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Excerpts of the blue book, images of important battlefields and a replica of a Revolutionary War musket line the walls and bookshelves of the museum. Amanda Rosa updated April 28, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026 My small bedroom’s layout requires that the bed be placed in a corner in order to fit a desk and bookshelf on either end. Lauren Arzbaecher, Architectural Digest, 28 Apr. 2026 The living room has dark hardwood floors, a decorative fireplace, two north-facing windows, and striking floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. Katie McDonough, Curbed, 27 Apr. 2026 Reading as a hobby is still a tradition that is alive and well, and the French love showing off their bookshelf wealth. Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bookshelf

Word History

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bookshelf was in 1648

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Cite this Entry

“Bookshelf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bookshelf. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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