Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus
1

shelving

noun shelv·ing \ ˈshel-viŋ \

Definition of shelving

1 : a sloping surface or place
2 : the state or degree of sloping

First Known Use of shelving

1678

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler
2

shelving

noun

Definition of shelving

1 : material for shelves
2 : shelves

First Known Use of shelving

1817

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

Learn More about shelving

  1. Nglish: Translation of shelving for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of shelving for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up shelving? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

paste

play

to beat or defeat soundly

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. exculpatory 'tending or serving to exculpate'

  2. ideologue 'an often blindly partisan advocate or adherent of a particular ideology'

  3. socialism 'a way of organizing a society in which major industries are owned and controlled by the government'

  4. uphold 'to let stand'

  5. due process 'a course of formal proceedings (as judicial proceedings)'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

shelving

Test Your Vocabulary

Test Your Emoji Exceptionalism

  • test-your-emoji-exceptionalism-written-with-a-lot-of-emoji
  • What is this emoji intended to represent: 🤳
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games