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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On the second floor, standing next to wooden bookshelves running as high as six stacks, Peter Sones, 62, and his wife, Lesley Sones, 64, were among the first to visit. Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2025 Arched bookshelves, bubble chairs, Lucite tables and terrazzo finishes have all reentered the conversation. Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025 On a plywood bookshelf above the twin bed sat a dozen teddy bears of varying age and quality, some patchy and furless. Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025 America’s 250th anniversary makes securing their position on the country’s patriotic bookshelf an especially worthy challenge. Jane Kamensky, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025 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 21 Oct. 2025.

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