plural shelves
ˈshelvz 
1
a
: a thin flat usually long and narrow piece of material (such as wood) fastened horizontally (as on a wall) at a distance from the floor to hold objects
b
: one of several similar pieces in a closet, bookcase, or similar structure
c
: the contents of a shelf
the author of a shelf of bestsellers
2
: something resembling a shelf in form or position: such as
a
: a sandbank or ledge of rocks usually partially submerged
b
: a flat projecting layer of rock
c
: the submerged gradually sloping border of a continent or island : continental shelf
see also off the shelf, on the shelf
Examples of shelf in a Sentence
Put the vase on the shelf.
the top shelf of the kitchen cabinet
Will you get that book down off the shelf?
We don't have much shelf space.
Recent Examples on the Web
On the walls of the massage table room are photos and paintings of nude women; on the shelves are bottles of lotion, Astroglide and other lubricant.
—
Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 20 Dec. 2025
The books required at least 50 feet of shelf space.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 20 Dec. 2025
The back walls each span 10 feet and come together at the rear corner, leaving plenty of space to add a set of storage shelves or a potting bench for spring planting.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 19 Dec. 2025
But the books and magazines are not organized on shelves or displayed, covers out, like lifestyle props; instead, they’re hung like laundry inside a custom 60-foot-long display case.
—Emma Orlow, Curbed, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shelf
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Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 20 Dec. 2025
The books required at least 50 feet of shelf space.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 20 Dec. 2025
The back walls each span 10 feet and come together at the rear corner, leaving plenty of space to add a set of storage shelves or a potting bench for spring planting.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 19 Dec. 2025
But the books and magazines are not organized on shelves or displayed, covers out, like lifestyle props; instead, they’re hung like laundry inside a custom 60-foot-long display case.
—Emma Orlow, Curbed, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shelf
Cite this Entry
“Shelf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shelf. Accessed 20 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shelf
noun
plural shelves
ˈshelvz
1
: a flat piece (as of wood or metal) set parallel to and above a floor (as on a wall or in a bookcase) to hold objects
2
: something (as a sandbar or ledge of rock) that suggests a shelf
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