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
The rear design includes two cameras on an elongated camera shelf.
—
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Dec. 2025
If the holidays left your home cluttered, consider this lift-top coffee table with shelves and a hidden compartment for storing essentials.
—Jacqueline Tempera, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Dec. 2025
But the numbers don’t indicate that any of these holiday staples will be disappearing from the shelves anytime soon.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 25 Dec. 2025
The products hitting shelves now were manufactured with more expensive hides, subjected to pricier foreign processing and shipped with higher freight costs than last year's merchandise, industry experts said.
—Luke Fountain, CNBC, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shelf
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Dec. 2025
If the holidays left your home cluttered, consider this lift-top coffee table with shelves and a hidden compartment for storing essentials.
—Jacqueline Tempera, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Dec. 2025
But the numbers don’t indicate that any of these holiday staples will be disappearing from the shelves anytime soon.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 25 Dec. 2025
The products hitting shelves now were manufactured with more expensive hides, subjected to pricier foreign processing and shipped with higher freight costs than last year's merchandise, industry experts said.
—Luke Fountain, CNBC, 25 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 28 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share