shelve

verb

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

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
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.
The article, written by Rachel Swan of the San Francisco Chronicle, unpacks how the proposal came about before officials (in a rare moment of appreciating bad optics) decided to shelve it. Jon Coupal, Oc Register, 17 June 2025 The administration has shelved rules, like requiring technology that allows the car to detect drunk drivers. Sonari Glinton, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025 The work involved inspecting and shelving books and helping to organize programs such as the Dungeons & Dragons Club, Teen Hangout and Feeding San Diego food distribution activities. Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 June 2025 The smarter Siri never arrived, and Apple shelved it indefinitely earlier this year. Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 10 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for shelve

Word History

Etymology

shelf

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shelve was in 1598

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shelve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shelve. Accessed 22 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

shelve

verb
shelved; shelving
1
: to place on a shelf
shelve books
2
: to put off or aside : defer
shelve a project
shelver noun

More from Merriam-Webster on shelve

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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