shelve

verb

shelved; shelving

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.
Murray lasted just one game before getting hurt himself during New Orleans' season opener against the Chicago Bulls, and remains shelved indefinitely with a fractured right hand. Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024 But that’s not really how a lot of comic shops actually shelved their books these days. Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Oct. 2024 Instead of shelving the project, the team – hailing from Finland – decided to confront him. Marta Balaga, Variety, 27 Sep. 2024 In September 2021 the teachers union shelved a resolution that would have condemned Israel and supported Palestinians. Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near shelve

Cite this Entry

“Shelve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shelve. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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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