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shelf Definition

shelf (s̸helf)

noun pl. shelves

  1. a thin, flat length of wood or other material fixed horizontally at right angles to a wall and used for holding things
  2. a similar support, usually one of a set, built into a frame, as in a bookcase or cupboard
  3. the contents or capacity of a shelf
  4. something like a shelf; specif.,
    1. a flat ledge jutting out from a cliff
    2. a sandbar or sandy reef
  5. a layer of bedrock, as under deposits of soil or gravel

Etymology: ME, prob. < MLowG schelf, akin to OE scylf, shelf, ledge < IE *skelp < base *(s)kel-, to cut > half

shelf Related Forms

shelf′·like′ adjective

shelf Idioms

on the shelf

out of use, activity, or circulation

shelf Synonyms

shelf

n.

  1. A ledge

    shoal, shallow, rock, reef, mantle, sandbank; see also ledge, ridge 2.

  2. A cupboard rack

    counter, cupboard, mantelpiece, rack.

shelf Usage Examples

Preposition: of

bookshop: The self-help shelves of bookshops are bursting with volumes all promising to help us change.

Converse of object

  • slat: A key feature of this trolley is the large slatted bottom shelf.
  • stack: Hands up who said stacking shelves or working on a checkout!
  • hit: There were plenty of highs with possibly the highest number of seminal albums from global artists hitting the shelves in any one year ever.
  • browse: Covers If you browse the shelves of your local bookshop, you will soon appreciate how important the packaging of a book is.
  • recess: Comfortable cane settee and three cane armchairs, TV, video, CD, Hi-Fi, corner cupboard and recessed shelves.

Adjective modifier

  • continental: PHYSICAL FEATURES The islands lie on the shallow continental shelf off the south-eastern coast of New Zealand.
  • dusty: A great writer is not a man who fills our dusty shelves with his forgotten volumes.
  • adjustable: Wardrobe - Complete with two adjustable half shelves both with coat rails.
  • Antarctic: Antarctic ice shelves that existed for thousands of years are crumbling.
  • fitted: BEDROOM 1: 11 ' 9 x 9 ' 2 ( front ) with large bulkhead cupboard with fitted shelves.
  • sloping: Underwater pinnacles, swim-throughs, steep walls and arches along with coral gardens and sloping shelves mean that dive sites are full of interest.

Modifies a noun

  • stacker: He has also worked as a shelf stacker, disk jockey and lathe operator.
  • life: Some of the imported chilled beef has a shelf life of up to five months.
  • boilies: Another 22lb 4oz common was also landed on pineapple shelf life boilies.

Noun used with modifier

  • supermarket: Our supermarket shelves stock products from across the globe.
  • parcel: I assume the blind is incorporated into the rear parcel shelf, in which case it could get a bit expensive.
  • off-the: We provide Nevis ready-made companies and off-the shelf companies as well as a " Name of your choice " service.
  • ice: Unlike the melting of sea ice or the floating ice shelves along coasts, the melting of ice on land raises sea level.
  • mantle: Originally displayed on the mantle shelf over the fire.