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

see also:

off the shelf on the shelf

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

There was free Wi-Fi of course and a nice mix of books on the shelves. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026

One of Nike’s controversial yet beloved 1990s basketball sneakers is officially on its way back to store shelves after more than a decade in the vault. —Riley Jones, Footwear News, 2 June 2026

Equipped with dual robotic arms, the robot can autonomously perform tasks such as material handling, shelf picking, inventory replenishment, and internal transportation. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 2 June 2026

The global satellite communications provider, a rival to SpaceX’s Starlink service, has soared more than 730% in the past year but saw its shares drop 16% in the past two days after filing a shelf registration Friday with the Securities and Exchange Commission to sell stock or debt. —Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 2 June 2026

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
• off the shelf
• on the 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