shelve

verb

ˈshelv 

shelved; shelving

transitive verb

1

: to furnish with shelves

2

: to place on a shelf

shelve books

3

a

: to remove from active service

b

: to put off or aside

shelve a project

intransitive verb

: to slope in a formation like a shelf

shelver noun

Synonyms of shelve

• postpone
• delay
• defer

Examples of shelve in a Sentence

The books were shelved according to category.

let's shelve the project for now

Recent Examples on the Web

Though the congress went ahead — with many top oil executives attending virtually — the summit and investment conference were shelved till next year. — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026

The governing body previously aimed to add 10 matches to the schedule in 2025 but shelved those plans. — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 28 Oct. 2026

Even the Harlem Globetrotters occasionally shelved their comedic antics for a night and sent out a highly competitive team to take on college basketball’s best. — ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

The prototype was shelved when Kramer couldn't successfully market it, and his patent expired in 1988. — Eric Griffith, PC Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

shelf

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for shelve

• delve
• twelve

Kids Definition

shelve

verb

ˈshelv 

shelved; shelving

1

: to place on a shelf

shelve books

2

: to put off or aside : defer

shelve a project

shelver noun