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
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
The Idaho Four: An American Tragedy by James Patterson and Vicky Ward is on shelves July 14 and available now for preorder, wherever books are sold.
—
Kc Baker, People.com, 30 June 2025
In September, Crave will hit the shelves in a thousand Kroger grocery stores and other retailers.
—Sheila Yasmin Marikar, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
Lean a framed print against the wall in the center of a wide vanity or on a shelf above the toilet.
—Dina Cheney, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2025
Using fewer bits was thought to require more steps—like alphabetizing your books by swapping them one by one on the shelf instead of pulling them all out and reshelving them.
—Max Springer, Scientific American, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for shelf
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Kc Baker, People.com, 30 June 2025
In September, Crave will hit the shelves in a thousand Kroger grocery stores and other retailers.
—Sheila Yasmin Marikar, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
Lean a framed print against the wall in the center of a wide vanity or on a shelf above the toilet.
—Dina Cheney, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2025
Using fewer bits was thought to require more steps—like alphabetizing your books by swapping them one by one on the shelf instead of pulling them all out and reshelving them.
—Max Springer, Scientific American, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for shelf
Cite this Entry
“Shelf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shelf. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shelf
noun
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
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