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

Phrases

off the shelf

: available from stock : not made to order

off the shelf equipment

on the shelf

: in a state of inactivity or uselessness

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

Bags of rice are expected to start filling the shelves of Japan’s supermarkets again soon as farmers harvest their new crop, though the increase in supply will do little to tame higher prices. —Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 19 June 2025

His Early Work as a DJ in '90s New York Mark Ronson Reflects on Making Music After Becoming a Parent at 2024 Grammys: 'No Song More Important Than Bathtime' Night People: How to Be a DJ in ’90s New York City, hits shelves on Sept. 23. —Charna Flam, People.com, 18 June 2025

Nintendo Switch 2 hits the shelves Nintendo’s first new console in 8 years is finally in stores, but before the first units were sold, Fox News got a sneak peak at some of the new games developed for the Switch 2. —Pilar Arias, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025

Tubs containing pills made up of these fungi are on the shelves of Whole Foods and Sprouts stores across the country and in the supplement aisles of Erewhon across Los Angeles County. —Mattha Busby, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025

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
• 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