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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Small ceramics are very easy to layer on tables or bookshelves along with books or other decor items. Tessa Cooper, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 May 2026 While ideal for deep and seasonal cleanings, this is also an efficient way to give bookshelves a quick spruce-up (without removing everything on them) before company comes. Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 10 May 2026 The academic bookshelf groans with the weight of studies of the phenomenon, but the seminal analysis of the topic remains a 1997 paper by economist Severin Borenstein of UC Berkeley and his colleagues. Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026 Repurpose bookshelves and decorative items to maximize storage and add style. Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 6 May 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 May. 2026.

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