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

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

Van de Riet points to clusters growing on a concrete ledge just below the scumline, just one property down from where his planters are being installed. —Nathan Rott, NPR, 17 Mar. 2026

Nostalgia aside, the popup at Morrell’s has no seating, save a concrete ledge outside where customers from neighboring businesses often perch with pastries or coffee. —Mario Cortez, San Francisco Chronicle, 17 Mar. 2026

And Lanza on that particular day more than 40 years ago happened to be sitting in the front row, with his feet propped up on a ledge as Holtz walked in to address his new team. —Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 17 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