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

• defer
• delay
• hold off (on)
• hold over
• hold up
• lay over
• postpone
• put off
• put over
• remit

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

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

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