shelve

verb

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

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.
Projects with Rick Rubin and with the Texas producer Beau Bedford followed, and some were shelved. Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026 She was detained for nearly two months at the Ramo Verde military prison before being released, with the case eventually shelved. Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026 It was shelved for three years, returning for consideration only in 2024, when Furtado was no longer part of the group of deputies, having failed to gain reelection in 2023. Evandro Cruz Silva, The Dial, 10 Feb. 2026 In a time where fabled bottles are traded and shelved as trophies, Soo Hoo’s decision to open this one is radical. Pin Yen Tan 9 Min Ago, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shelve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shelve. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

shelve

verb
shelved; shelving
1
: to place on a shelf
shelve books
2
: to put off or aside : defer
shelve a project
shelver noun

More from Merriam-Webster on shelve

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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