shelf

[shelf]

noun

plural

shelves 

1. a thin slab of wood, metal, etc., fixed horizontally to a wall or in a frame, for supporting objects.

2. the contents of this.

   a shelf of books.

3. a surface or projection resembling this; ledge.

4. Physical Geography.

   1. a sandbank or submerged extent of rock in the sea or river.

   2. the bedrock underlying an alluvial deposit or the like.

   3. continental shelf.

5. Archery.,  the upper part of the bow hand, on which the arrow rests.

shelf

/ ʃɛlf /

noun

1. a thin flat plank of wood, metal, etc, fixed horizontally against a wall, etc, for the purpose of supporting objects

2. something resembling this in shape or function

3. the objects placed on a shelf, regarded collectively

   a shelf of books

4. a projecting layer of ice, rock, etc, on land or in the sea See also continental shelf

5. mining a layer of bedrock hit when sinking a shaft

6. archery the part of the hand on which an arrow rests when the bow is grasped

7. See off the shelf

8. put aside or abandoned: used esp of unmarried women considered to be past the age of marriage

verb

1. slang,  (tr) to inform upon

shelf

1. See continental shelf

Other Word Forms

• shelflike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of shelf¹

1350–1400; Middle English; Old English scylfe; akin to Low German schelf shelf, Old Norse -skjalf bench

Word History and Origins

Origin of shelf¹

Old English scylfe ship's deck; related to Middle Low German schelf shelf, Old English scylf crag

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. off the shelf, readily available from merchandise in stock.

   Any of those parts can be purchased off the shelf.

2. on the shelf,

   1. put aside temporarily; postponed.

   2. inactive; useless.

   3. without prospects of marriage, as after having broken an engagement.

see off the shelf; on the shelf.

Example Sentences

Known for being a bargain stop for cosmetics and beauty products, including big tubs of popular moisturisers and conditioners displayed on floor-to-ceiling shelves, the firm has about 1,500 employees.

From BBC

The pompadour gag has lost its cultural shelf life.

From Los Angeles Times

A closet-sized space across from the bathroom houses shelves of vinyl records, tapes and DVDs.

From Los Angeles Times

"The scanner will enable shoppers to choose the avocado that is right for them and which therefore can help them plan their usage and desired shelf life," says Ms Lawrence.

From BBC

Inside, a treasure trove awaited: Exclusive merch hung on the walls, bins with posters lined the floors, and bucket hats were stacked on shelves.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• counter 
• cupboard 
• ledge 
• rack