Shelf Definition

shĕlf
shelves
noun
shelves
A thin, flat length of wood, metal, etc. fixed horizontally at right angles to a wall and used for holding things.
Webster's New World
A similar support, usually one of a set, built into a frame, as in a bookcase or cupboard.
Webster's New World
The contents or capacity of a shelf.
Webster's New World
Something, such as a projecting ledge of rock or a balcony, that resembles such a structure.
American Heritage
Something like a shelf.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
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idiom
off the shelf
  • From ready-made merchandise in stock:

    supplies that were available off the shelf.

American Heritage
on the shelf
  • In a state of disuse or inactivity:

    The injured goalie has been on the shelf for weeks.

  • Out of consideration:

    The finance bill is on the shelf until next year.

American Heritage
on the shelf
  • out of use, activity, or circulation
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Shelf

Noun

Singular:
shelf
Plural:
shelves

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Shelf

Origin of Shelf

  • Probably from Old English scylfe (“deck of a ship"); distantly related to sculpt, carve and shell.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English probably from Middle Low German schelf skel-1 in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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Shelf Sentence Examples

  • The continental plateau might for purposes of detailed study be divided into the continental shelf from - 660 ft.

  • This shelf was chosen in 1909 as the site of the public offices of the Union.

  • Around the coast there is a raised shelf of limestone which was undoubtedly a coral reef.

  • On the shelf I arranged the words, is, in, wardrobe.

  • She removed the book from the shelf and opened it to the dedication page.

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Words Starting With

SSHSHE

Words Ending With

FLFELF

Unscrambles

shelf

Words Starting With S and Ending With F

Starts With S & Ends With FStarts With SH & Ends With FStarts With S & Ends With LF

Word Length

5 Letter Words5 Letter Words Starting With S5 Letter Words Ending With F
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