shelf

UK: /ˈʃɛlf/ US: /ʃɛlf/ ,(shelf )

Inflections of 'shelf' (n): npl: shelves

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

shelf /ʃɛlf/   n. [countable] , pl. shelves /ʃɛlvz/  

1. a thin, flat slab of wood, metal, etc., attached horizontally to a wall or in a frame, for supporting objects:
   a shelf with books.
2. a surface like this, such as a ledge.

Idioms

3. Idioms off the shelf, [uncountable] kept in stock in a store:
   buying electronic parts off the shelf.
4. Idioms on the shelf, [uncountable]
   • inactive;
     useless.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

shelf  (shelf ), n., pl. shelves (shelvz). 

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. Place Names [Physical Geog.]
   • a sandbank or submerged extent of rock in the sea or river.
   • the bedrock underlying an alluvial deposit or the like.
   • See continental shelf. 
5. Sport [Archery.] the upper part of the bow hand, on which the arrow rests.
6. off the shelf, readily available from merchandise in stock:
   Any of those parts can be purchased off the shelf.
7. on the shelf, [Informal.]
   • put aside temporarily;
     postponed.
   • inactive;
     useless.
   • without prospects of marriage, as after having broken an engagement.

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

shelf′like′, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

shelf / ʃɛlf/ noun ( shelves / ʃɛlvz/)

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. See off the shelf
6. on the shelf ⇒ put aside or abandoned: used esp of unmarried women considered to be past the age of marriage

verb

1. (transitive) to inform upon

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

ˈshelfˌlike adjective