ledge

noun

1
: a raised or projecting edge or molding intended to protect or check
a window ledge
2
: an underwater ridge or reef especially near the shore
3
a
: a narrow flat surface or shelf
especially : one that projects from a wall of rock
We rappelled down the cliff and reached the ledge.
b
: rock that is solid or continuous enough to form ledges : bedrock
the field was full of ledge
4
: lode, vein
ledgy adjective

Example Sentences

birds perched on the ledge of a building a ledge on the side of the mountain
Recent Examples on the Web Chiappe perched on a small ledge alongside the dinosaur’s lower leg, expertly dispatching fist-sized chunks of rock with a chisel. Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2022 Dangling from a rope 30 feet (9 meters) above the ground with a canvas bag slung around his neck, Bedrosian shouldered his way into a golden eagle nest lodged in a cliff ledge. Matthew Brown, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2022 Teams start off standing on a ledge hanging over the edge of a 30-story building, and TJ will go down the line asking questions. Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 28 July 2022 While most areas of the game are incredibly well designed, not every ledge inevitably offers a path. Matt Gardner, Forbes, 18 July 2022 Leo, a 4-year-old cocker spaniel-poodle mix, jumped over a railing at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Munising and fell 25-30 feet to a ledge below, but managed to survive until rescuers came to his aid. Sarah Raza, Detroit Free Press, 12 July 2022 The video, posted on Facebook Monday, shows a rescue team approach the boulder via a helicopter as a rescuer lowers down to the ledge, where the climber was already receiving medical attention. Emma Talley, San Francisco Chronicle, 16 Aug. 2022 Each pair must stand on a ledge hanging off a 30-story building and answer Lavin's questions. Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 27 July 2022 Some push forward, in front of the ledge, others recede. Washington Post, 19 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ledge.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English legge bar of a gate

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ledge was in 1535

Dictionary Entries Near ledge

Cite this Entry

“Ledge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ledge. Accessed 10 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

ledge

noun
1
: a projecting ridge or raised edge along a surface
2
: an underwater ridge or reef especially near the shore
3
: a narrow flat surface or shelf
especially : one that sticks out from a wall of rock

More from Merriam-Webster on ledge

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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