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.
The body later put out an uncompromising new statement, saying no UEFA national teams would take part in any FIFA competition until the proposals were shelved. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 31 July 2026 While custom living room shelving houses an impressive book collection, the kitchen is stocked with all the essentials needed to prepare meals of any scale. — Madeline Weinfield, Architectural Digest, 30 July 2026 The planned documentary did not turn out as planned, however, and was quickly shelved. — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 28 July 2026 And a trial means discovery, airing every internal debate about safeguards shelved since 2019 in front of a jury pool full of Zelle users. — Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 27 July 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

See All Rhymes for shelve

Browse Nearby Words

sheltopusic
shelve
shelver
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shelve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shelve. Accessed 4 Aug. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on shelve

Nglish: Translation of shelve for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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