shelf

noun

ˈshelf 

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

shelfful

ˈshelf-ˌfu̇l 

noun

shelflike

ˈshelf-ˌlīk 

adjective

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

Why Hailey Bieber’s chicken meatballs recipe went viral The recipe lands as cottage cheese searches, cookbook mentions and grocery shelf placements have climbed sharply. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2026

Everything else in the room, from sofas and rugs to shelves and tables, sits between the speaker and the listener, creating an experience that is functional but inherently limited. — New Atlas, 23 Sep. 2026

In 1982, the Tylenol Murderer uncapped bottles of the popular pain medicine at various stores, dumped the powder contents of capsules out, replaced it with cyanide and returned the bottles to store shelves. — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026

Part of that $6 billion is going into additional store payroll and training, shifting more focus toward the frontline employees who stock shelves and keep stores running smoothly. — Stephanie Link, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, probably from Old English scylfe; akin to Old Norse hlīthskjalf Odin's seat

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing shelf

• continental shelf
• ice shelf
• off the shelf
• on the shelf
• shelf fungus
• shelf ice
• shelf life
• shelf-stable
• sulfur shelf
• top-shelf

Rhymes for shelf

• elf
• self
• bookshelf
• herself
• himself
• hisself
• itself
• meself
• myself
• nonself
• oneself
• thyself

Kids Definition

shelf

noun

ˈshelf 

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

shelflike

ˈshel-ˌflīk 

adjective