ledge

noun

ˈlej 

1

: a raised or projecting edge or molding intended to protect or check

a window ledge

2

: an underwater ridge or reef especially near the shore

3

a

: a narrow flat surface or shelf

especially : one that projects from a wall of rock

We rappelled down the cliff and reached the ledge.

b

: rock that is solid or continuous enough to form ledges : bedrock

the field was full of ledge

4

: lode, vein

ledgy

ˈle-jē 

adjective

Examples of ledge in a Sentence

birds perched on the ledge of a building

a ledge on the side of the mountain

Recent Examples on the Web

At the last minute, major Venezuelan officials backed off the ledge. —Zach Dorfman, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2024

While visiting her son's memorial on a cliff in the woods, the grieving mother plans to kill herself until a man by the name of Richard (Finn Wittrock) talks her off the ledge. —Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024

That is, until a handsome stranger who introduces himself as Richard (Finn Wittrock) shows up and quite literally talks her off the ledge. —Megan McCluskey, TIME, 25 Oct. 2024

On October 7th, at 9:16 p.m., patrol officers responded to reports of a man experiencing mental health crisis sitting on a ledge high above the train tracks near 2nd Avenue Exit and East Jackson Street. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English legge bar of a gate

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

ledge

noun

ˈlej 

1

: a projecting ridge or raised edge along a surface

2

: an underwater ridge or reef especially near the shore

3

: a narrow flat surface or shelf

especially : one that sticks out from a wall of rock