shelve

verb

ˈshelv How to pronounce shelve (audio)
shelved; shelving
Synonyms of shelvenext

transitive verb

1
: to furnish with shelves
2
: to place on a shelf
shelve books
3
a
: to remove from active service
b
: to put off or aside
shelve a project

intransitive verb

: to slope in a formation like a shelf
shelver noun

Synonyms of shelve

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Examples of shelve in a Sentence

The books were shelved according to category. let's shelve the project for now
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Those shows are now shelved, and a reason has not been given. — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2026 The more controversial part two, which will come up with a structure to protect the coast from storm surge, has been shelved for now. — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 That iteration eventually led to Ron Funches taking over for Morgan, but then financing fell through, shelving the project indefinitely as of 2018. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026 Now, according to reporting by Electrek, those automotive ambitions have been shelved. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shelve

Word History

Etymology

shelf

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shelve was in 1598

Rhymes for shelve

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Browse Nearby Words

sheltopusic
shelve
shelver
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Cite this Entry

“Shelve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shelve. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

shelve

verb
ˈshelv How to pronounce shelve (audio)
shelved; shelving
1
: to place on a shelf
shelve books
2
: to put off or aside : defer
shelve a project
shelver noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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