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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Grab additional picks like the Sunmory 6-tier tree bookshelf and a Utopia bath towel set to complete your space. Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026 Overly Customized Built-ins Built-in bookshelves and entertainment units are a big trend right now. Cori Sears, The Spruce, 11 Jan. 2026 Instead of storing the marbles from your childhood in a bin in your closet, put them in a jar on your bookshelf. Tessa Cooper, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026 Designer Stephanie Calderon of Stephanie Calderon Interiors in Charlotte, North Carolina, enjoys scouring resale stores for items to style bookshelves and coffee tables. Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 10 Jan. 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 15 Jan. 2026.

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