ledge

noun

ˈlej 

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

ˈle-jē 

adjective

Examples of ledge in a Sentence

birds perched on the ledge of a building

a ledge on the side of the mountain

Recent Examples on the Web

The resort-style backyard provides a pool with a sun ledge, spa, multiple seating areas and two fireplaces designed for year-round enjoyment. —Judi Wright, Dallas Morning News, 29 Mar. 2026

Your favorite novelist, no matter how experimental or antiestablishment, all but certainly has some representative taking a 15 percent commission out of her advance, negotiating her contracts, talking her up over cocktails, talking her down from the ledge. —Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026

There’s always a chance that Fetterman’s prospective foes get talked down from the ledge. —Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 24 Mar. 2026

Two people injured while cliff jumping at Lake Whitney in Bosque County on Saturday were rescued from a rock ledge and airlifted for medical care in a multi-agency effort, officials said. —S.e. Jenkins, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English legge bar of a gate

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ledge

• dredge
• edge
• hedge
• pledge
• sedge
• sledge
• wedge
• allege
• straightedge

Kids Definition

ledge

noun

ˈlej 

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