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.
For every treatment that reaches consumers, many more are shelved due to cost, developmental hurdles, poor results or regulatory challenges. Max Votek, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024 But a year later, war broke out, and those plans were shelved. Declan Walsh, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2024 The fourth edition was initially planned to open in late 2023, however those plans were shelved after October 7. Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 19 Dec. 2024 Last month, reports emerged that the company had shelved an episode of Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur that featured a trans girl participating in school sports. Shania Russell, EW.com, 18 Dec. 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 6 Jan. 2025.

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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