shelve

\ ˈshelv

How to pronounce shelve (audio)

\

shelved; shelving

Definition of shelve

transitive verb

1 : to furnish with shelves

2 : to place on a shelf shelve books

3a : to remove from active service

b : to put off or aside shelve a project

intransitive verb

: to slope in a formation like a shelf

Other Words from shelve Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about shelve

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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 To strike the deal, Democrats had to drop their demands for local government funding and GOP Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had to shelve his call to shield businesses from COVID-19-related lawsuits. — Lisa Donovan, chicagotribune.com, "The Spin: Lightfoot working to rebuild trust after wrongful police raid, video scandal | Cops reassigned, city’s top lawyer given the boot | Congress prepares to OK relief bill," 21 Dec. 2020 The Southeastern Conference and the state Baptist convention were among groups that urged legislators to shelve the flag that critics called a constant visual reminder of Mississippi's racist history. — Emily Wagster Pettus, Star Tribune, "Mississippi's new magnolia flag starting to fly after vote," 4 Nov. 2020 Illinois got hurt when the Big Ten decided to shelve the nonconference part of the schedule. — Megan Ryan, Star Tribune, "Gophers Q&A: Insight on Illinois," 6 Nov. 2020 The Southeastern Conference and the state Baptist convention were among groups that urged legislators to shelve the flag that critics called a constant visual reminder of Mississippi’s racist history. — NBC News, "Mississippi's new magnolia flag starting to fly after vote," 5 Nov. 2020 Both countries have had to shelve their plans, for now. — Amindeh Blaise Atabong, Quartz Africa, "Across Africa, citizens are resisting attempts to raise tax revenue from rising mobile use," 23 Oct. 2020 The group is asking for volunteers to help sort and shelve books from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. — Staff Reports, NOLA.com, "Friends need volunteers, Halloween events are afoot, vintner dinners continue," 19 Oct. 2020 Conservative commissioners recently appointed by President Donald Trump voted to shelve the report, its findings and recommendations, even commissioners' statements. — Donovan Slack, USA TODAY, "Trump appointees torpedo report on voting access during coronavirus pandemic," 18 Sep. 2020 Graham also quickly asked if the Catholic judge would be able to shelve her personal beliefs to adhere to law. — Arkansas Online, "WATCH LIVE: Barrett tells senators she's not Scalia, but her own judge," 13 Oct. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shelve.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

31 Dec 2020

Cite this Entry

“Shelve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shelve. Accessed 26 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for shelve

shelve

verb

English Language Learners Definition of shelve

: to put (something) on a shelf

: to stop doing or thinking about (something) for a period of time

US : to make (someone) unable to play or perform

See the full definition for shelve in the English Language Learners Dictionary

shelve

\ ˈshelv

\

shelved; shelving

Kids Definition of shelve

1 : to place or store on a shelf shelve books

2 : to put off or aside : defer The plan has been shelved for now.

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