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
Studios, Mad Cave Studios, AWA, or any of the other small to midsize publishers publishing non-superhero comics in horror/fantasy/science fiction/thriller genres: comics that, while creatively appealing, rarely move the sales needle and fight to stand out on retailers’ shelves.
—
Rob Salkowitz, Forbes, 6 Sep. 2024
What to do with too much cucumber in your garden
So many people miss the astonishing goodness of a cucumber out of the garden compared to one that’s been waxed, stored, shipped, and then stuck on a grocery store shelf for a month.
—Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 6 Sep. 2024
Bottles of Corona, Modelo and Pacifico beer are displayed on the a shelf at a supermarket on April 6, 2017 in San Rafael, California.
—Jeff Marks,kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 6 Sep. 2024
While the Bentonville Public Library is closed in October, the bookstore will receive 264 shelves to add to its current 66 shelves, according to a news release from the city.
—Nwa Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 6 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shelf 
Rob Salkowitz, Forbes, 6 Sep. 2024
What to do with too much cucumber in your garden
So many people miss the astonishing goodness of a cucumber out of the garden compared to one that’s been waxed, stored, shipped, and then stuck on a grocery store shelf for a month.
—Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 6 Sep. 2024
Bottles of Corona, Modelo and Pacifico beer are displayed on the a shelf at a supermarket on April 6, 2017 in San Rafael, California.
—Jeff Marks,kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 6 Sep. 2024
While the Bentonville Public Library is closed in October, the bookstore will receive 264 shelves to add to its current 66 shelves, according to a news release from the city.
—Nwa Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 6 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shelf
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shelf.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near shelf
Cite this Entry
“Shelf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shelf. Accessed 19 Sep. 2024.
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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